QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly witnessed uproar on Monday when an opposition member alleged that vacant posts of the Levies Force were being sold.

Asghar Ali Tareen of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) accused government ministers of not advertising 90 vacant posts for Balochistan Levies force but selling them to applicants.

“I have proof in audio and video in which officials can be heard and seen demanding bribes from poor applicants,” he claimed in the Assembly, demanding an investigation into the matter.

Following this statement, the opposition members exch­anged hot words with treasury members.

Mr Tareen then walked out from the House and Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Khan Musakhail, who was presiding over the session, adjourned the session for 15 minutes.

Talking on a point of order, JUI-F’s Syed Fazal Agha corroborated Mr Tareen’s allegations, saying in Pishin, about 50km from Quetta, money had been asked from candidates who had filed their applications for vacancies in Balochistan Levies force.

“If the government does not know that there is corruption in its recruitment then they should carry out an investigation and unveil those officials who are fostering corruption,” Mr Agha said.

Provincial Minister for Agricul­ture Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai assured the opposition that the government would take strict action against any official involved in selling government jobs.

Giving ruling over the minister’s response the deputy speaker said it was satisfactory.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2020