Employees claimed that Acting Secretary PSQCA made irregular appointments of contingent employees in grades of BPS-1 to 10 and was involved in forged recruitment advertising.
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has launched an investigation into Shah Mureed Baloch, the acting Secretary of the Pakistan Standard and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), for allegedly engaging in “various forms of misconduct.”
The allegations include tampering with job advertisements, issuing illegal NoCs, and abusing power. The ministry has requested information from the PSQCA regarding the alleged abuse of power by Baloch, who also serves as the organization’s Director (administration).
According to a letter sent to the Director General of PSQCA and others involved, the ministry is concerned that, despite repeated reminders, Baloch has failed to provide relevant documents to the inquiry committee formed to investigate and assign blame for tampering with job advertisements.
The letter also stated that, despite clear instructions from the competent authority, Baloch failed to take the necessary action in the regularisation case of Mr. Sher Ali, IT Manager of PSQCA.
The ministry noted that Baloch authorized and issued an NOC for ex-Pakistani employees to leave in favour of Ms. Ghazia Ashfaq and failed to convey the list of daily wagers and contract employees for consideration of regularisation.
These acts of mismanagement, misuse, and abuse of authority fall within the ambit of misconduct. Baloch has been directed to explain his position within two days, or strict disciplinary proceedings will be initiated.
Employees of the PSQCA complained that Baloch, an officer of the Ministry of Education in Balochistan, was promoted to Director Administration without approval from the Competent Authority, the Secretary MoST.
The employees also claimed that Acting Secretary PSQCA made irregular appointments of contingent employees in the grades of BPS-1 to 10 and was involved in forged recruitment advertising.
They also claimed that Baloch is illegally using operational double-cabin official vehicles for field inspection duties. Employees also claimed that Baloch was involved in irregularities and misappropriation of funds in POL charges, vehicle repair and maintenance, and office building renovation.
According to available documents, Baloch borrowed 2.5 million rupees from PSQCA for a house-building loan without following the proper procedures.
Employees must meet certain conditions, according to the rules, before being eligible for such loans. Despite joining the organisation on deputation in October 2022, Baloch has not submitted his Last Pay Certificate (LPC) to PSQCA.
According to the documents, Baloch gave at least 83 PSQCA employees a total of Rs 118.843 million with the blessing of acting DG Zainul Abedeen. However, there have been violations of the service requirement as well as a number of other regulations.