LAHORE: The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) candidates are holding a sit-in outside the commission’s office today (Monday) against the paper leak scandal.

The candidates presented their demands, including cancellation of all examinations of different posts held recently. The tests include those held for Deputy Accountant, Zialdar (revenue official), Assistant Director, Sub-Inspector Anti-Corruption, Lecturers, Labour Officers and some posts in the Punjab Police.

They demanded the examinations of these posts be held again, removal of the commission’s chairman, secretary and other members from the posts and an inquiry into paper leak by the FIA, IB and Special Branch.

The candidates demanded cancelation of all recent interviews also, installation of CCTV cameras in examination centres and strict security measures for ensuring sanctity of paper printing and its distribution.

The PPSC candidates who had applied for positions of lecturer demanded an independent inquiry in a leaked audio. The test was held on Dec 20, following which a number of candidates took to Twitter to highlight their grievances and demanded the PPSC look into the issue.

Some candidates shared screenshots of their formal written complaints, which they had submitted to the PPSC. The candidates alleged that besides numerous spelling mistakes, there were a few questions which had more than one correct answer, which confused them while attempting the MCQ parts.

Earlier, the PPSC had cancelled interviews for different posts, including lecturers of English and History, and sub-inspectors, being held on Jan 11 to 15.

Last week, the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment had arrested a PPSC employee, identified as Abdullah, for his alleged involvement in taking bribe and leaking the question papers to candidates. A civil court had handed him over to the anti-corruption teams on five-day judicial remand to complete the investigation.

The commission constituted an internal inquiry committee, which would also investigate printing of question papers and other material.

PPSC Chairman retired Lt Gen Maqsood Ahmad has denied allegations of paper leak and any pressure on him or members of the commission. He said he would be ready to present himself for accountability amid the ongoing protests being held against him by candidates appearing in the PPSC exam.

He said 500,000 people had appeared in the exam for the 2,500 seats open for the post of lecturers. “Many protesting candidates had applied 30 to 54 times but did not pass,” said the chairman. “Allegations of paper leak are baseless,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2021