QUETTA: The attempts of Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani to hijack Customs in Baluchistan caused much revenue loss to the national exchequer as well as resulted in several other issues such as contempt of court. Moreover, Sadiq Sanjrani also influenced the hiring process of Customs for his personal gains.
According to details, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) advertised vacancies in October 2020, which included 70 posts of sepoys and 12 lady searchers. Two persons, who had applied for the jobs and were declared successful candidate for appointment, approached High Court Quetta as they were not issued the appointment letters despite lapse of considerable time.
The Court ordered the Customs to issue the appointment letters to the above mentioned two petitioners. However, the appointment letters could not be issued due to the meddling by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani.
Senate Standing Committee on Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs stepped in during the recruitment process and that the criterion for the vacancies announced is very tough, and this meant the people from Chaghi and other backward areas could not apply or compete.
Committee noted relaxations should be issued for individuals hailing from backward areas.
Member HR – FBR apprised the Senate Standing Committee that a petitions from 7 individuals had been received, wherein it was claimed that the applicants had appeared in written test, but had not been called for interview. He added that these individuals had appeared for interviews, and that the process has been completed. Final appointment letters will be issued after verification of antecedents, as per directions of the high court.
Chief Collector Quetta apprised the Committee that a uniform criteria was developed for selection against advertised posts. The seven applicants who had submitted the petition to the Chairman Senate had appeared for interviews against the advertised posts.
On the recommendation of the Committee, Chairman FBR assured that criterion for individuals hailing from backward areas will be telexed in the future. However, he requested that the current process be allowed to continue, as stopping the same would open up the FBR to litigation.
Senate Standing Committee directed that the process of hiring of staff for the Model Customs Collectorate, Quetta be stopped, and appointment criterion for individuals hailing from backward areas, especially Chagai, Dera Bhugti and Kohlu, be specifically relaxed and new, separate criteria for these areas be shared with the Committee before proceeding.
Committee has also directed that all details of the results of the written tests, physical tests and interviews of the finalized candidates be submitted to the Committee before issuance.
Stopping of appointments resulted in contempt of court notice for the Customs Quetta. Subsequently, Court struck down the meddling by Senate Committee and the appointment letters were issued on merit-based candidates.