The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has expressed its displeasure with the federal government for its failure to appoint a permanent Director General (DG) of Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA).
During a hearing on Thursday, Justice Babar Sattar criticized the position remaining vacant for so long, noting that statutory appointments could not be postponed indefinitely due to bureaucratic inefficiency or incomplete intelligence reports.
The petitioner, Dr. Shehzad Afzal, objected to the extension of the vacancy in the post of Director General, citing the allocation of temporary duties to the Deputy Director of Public Finance without obtaining proper authorization. The court noted that the position of Director General has been vacant for nearly a year, highlighting the negligence of the Federal Government in fulfilling its obligations.
The Assistant Attorney General informed the court that the appointment summary, dated September 20, 2024, is awaiting approval at the Prime Minister’s Office. He explained that the summary requires inputs from intelligence agencies before it is submitted to the Federal Cabinet.
But Judge Abdul Sattar stressed that the legal process cannot be postponed indefinitely, noting that “the implementation of legal requirements cannot remain hostage to the whims of the intelligence services.”
The court also questioned the authority of the Federal Minister of Science and Technology to impose the interim charge through orders dated August 1, 2024 and December 5, 2024. Justice Sattar directed the Assistant Attorney General to clarify the legal basis for these decisions and summon the Director General. Secretary to the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary to assist the court.
Judge Sattar warned that delaying the appointment undermines the credibility and effectiveness of the institution. He set February 26, 2025 as the date for the next hearing, warning that further delay could lead to penalties and legal action.
Controversies surrounding the appointment process:
Despite repeated attempts over the past two years, the Ministry of Science and Technology has struggled to finalize the appointment of the PSQCA Director-General. Sources claim that political interference and efforts to appoint candidates with questionable qualifications have hampered the process, leading to controversies and legal challenges.
The final round of interviews, conducted on September 19 and 20, 2024, included more than 40 candidates. But the ministry tried to appoint someone who was already facing inquiries and lacked the required qualifications and experience. Throughout the selection process, allegations persist that some candidates with a history of wrongdoing, illegal promotions and financial misconduct are being considered for the role.
Recently selected candidates include:
- Dr. Ho Khanwho previously served as acting director general of the PSQCA and faced controversies over rule violations in employee promotions. He has also been dismissed several times from the Science Foundation of Pakistan, including forced retirement in 2016.
- Zain Al-Abidina former interim Director General of the PSQCA, who reportedly lacks the necessary qualifications and experience for the position.
- Muhammad Farouk: Who also reportedly lacks the experience required for the position
Notably, Dr Shehzad Afzal, the petitioner and director of the PSQCA, who recently won an international appointment as Director-General of the South Asia Regional Standards Organization (SARSO), was excluded from the shortlist.
Insiders claim that political considerations have repeatedly hampered the process, and priority is given to controversial candidates with limited experience in standardization – a basic requirement of the PSQCA’s technical mandate.