Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa's (KP's) Timergara Medical College (TMC), mired in controversies since its 2015 inauguration by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, is again in the news for alleged recruitment irregularities.
The college had placed an advertisement featuring 98 vacancies in a daily newspaper on June 27, 2022. The KP Education Department had, on the other hand, approved 436 vacancies in a November 17, 2021 meeting. An approval had been secured from the KP Finance Department on this account. K-P Finance Minister Taimur Jhagra had presided over the meeting.
Activist Asif Iqbal told The Friday Times -- Naya Daur that the discrepancy in figures ought to be probed. The recruitment process, he said, was not transparent. Iqbal also objected to how the Hiring Testing Service (HTS) had conducted an examination in this regard. He said some aspirants had received a text message on the test being conducted after it had been held.
Iqbal also said the test had been held at 6:30am. Many candidates were unable to appear for the test due to its unreasonable timing.
The HTS refused to comment on the claims despite being reached many times by The Friday Times -- Naya Daur.
Activist Wajid Khan said the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had been moved against the provincial government and TMC management. He said they were responsible for the misconduct witnessed. A total of 23 computer operator vacancies were available. Only 18, however, were advertised. Five, Khan said, had been kept under wraps to further nepotism. He said he had incriminating evidence which he would present before the court.
TMC Project Director Shaukat Ali dismissed the allegations as baseless. He said the recruitment process had been transparent.
Questioning Ali's appointment, political activist Ateequr Rehman said the post required three qualifications and 25 years of teaching experience. Neither, he said, did Ali have. He said a PC-1 report of the project too had been kept from the public due to massive irregularities pertaining to the procurement of lab equipment.
When reached to comment on the allegations, Ali said the PHC had already dismissed a petition challenging his appointment. He said he was placed eighth in the provincial doctors' management cadre. This, Ali said, made him eligible for the post.
Scores staged a demonstration in front of the TMC on Friday against the alleged irregularities. Those present demanded probe in to matter. Wajidullah demanded Ali be sacked.
Another protest in favour of the TMC administration was held on the following Sunday. Arshad Mayar, one of the protestors, said the recruitment process was transparent. Ijaz Ahmed of the PTI said political affiliation had no influence over the process.
An individual speaking to The Friday Times -- Naya Daur on the condition of anonymity said the pro-TMC protest had been organised by Ali. Rejecting the allegations, Adviser to KP Chief Minister Shafiullah said not a single individual holding a government post was involved in the recruitment drive.
The college had placed an advertisement featuring 98 vacancies in a daily newspaper on June 27, 2022. The KP Education Department had, on the other hand, approved 436 vacancies in a November 17, 2021 meeting. An approval had been secured from the KP Finance Department on this account. K-P Finance Minister Taimur Jhagra had presided over the meeting.
Activist Asif Iqbal told The Friday Times -- Naya Daur that the discrepancy in figures ought to be probed. The recruitment process, he said, was not transparent. Iqbal also objected to how the Hiring Testing Service (HTS) had conducted an examination in this regard. He said some aspirants had received a text message on the test being conducted after it had been held.
Iqbal also said the test had been held at 6:30am. Many candidates were unable to appear for the test due to its unreasonable timing.
The HTS refused to comment on the claims despite being reached many times by The Friday Times -- Naya Daur.
Activist Wajid Khan said the Peshawar High Court (PHC) had been moved against the provincial government and TMC management. He said they were responsible for the misconduct witnessed. A total of 23 computer operator vacancies were available. Only 18, however, were advertised. Five, Khan said, had been kept under wraps to further nepotism. He said he had incriminating evidence which he would present before the court.
TMC Project Director Shaukat Ali dismissed the allegations as baseless. He said the recruitment process had been transparent.
Questioning Ali's appointment, political activist Ateequr Rehman said the post required three qualifications and 25 years of teaching experience. Neither, he said, did Ali have. He said a PC-1 report of the project too had been kept from the public due to massive irregularities pertaining to the procurement of lab equipment.
When reached to comment on the allegations, Ali said the PHC had already dismissed a petition challenging his appointment. He said he was placed eighth in the provincial doctors' management cadre. This, Ali said, made him eligible for the post.
Scores staged a demonstration in front of the TMC on Friday against the alleged irregularities. Those present demanded probe in to matter. Wajidullah demanded Ali be sacked.
Another protest in favour of the TMC administration was held on the following Sunday. Arshad Mayar, one of the protestors, said the recruitment process was transparent. Ijaz Ahmed of the PTI said political affiliation had no influence over the process.
An individual speaking to The Friday Times -- Naya Daur on the condition of anonymity said the pro-TMC protest had been organised by Ali. Rejecting the allegations, Adviser to KP Chief Minister Shafiullah said not a single individual holding a government post was involved in the recruitment drive.