ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat was informed on Thursday that 200,000 applications were received for the posts of assistant director (AD) and investigation inspector in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The meeting, chaired by Senator Talha Mehmood was held at a committee room of the Parliament House and a number of issues related to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), provincial quota, etc, were discussed by the committee.

Representatives from the FPSC informed committee members that all candidates were asked to attempt multiple choice questions (MCQs), out of which 29,000 candidates were shortlisted for the post of assistant director and 89,000 candidates were shortlisted for the post of inspector.

All shortlisted candidates were called for a written examination. Around 11,500 candidates took the exam for the post of AD and 28,000 for the post of inspector. The committee was informed that their results were being compiled after which successful candidates will be invited for an interview. Moreover, FPSC representatives said that the process of recruitment was delayed due to Covid-19.

Senator Kulsoom Parveen said that their reply was not satisfactory and suggested that the committee should look into it. Mr Mehmood agreed that the precious time of candidates was wasted due to delay in appointments and suggested that steps should be taken so that people do not suffer in the future.He said that a new procedure, which would be acceptable to all stakeholders, should be devised.

Furthermore, the committee approved a bill titled Pakistan Commission of Inquiry (Amendment) bill 2020. The bill, tabled by Senator Javed Abbasi, suggests that reports of the inquiry commission should be presented in the in-camera sessions of the Senate and National Assembly.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2020