Allegations involving the sale of government jobs have sparked fresh controversy in Balochistan.
The Jobs Scandal emerged after a provincial minister raised serious concerns about recruitment in the Forest Department.
Provincial Food Minister Noor Muhammad Dumar alleged that some government posts were being offered for large sums of money.
He claimed the alleged prices ranged from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 2 million.
The allegations have increased scrutiny of government recruitment and raised concerns among job seekers across the province.
Minister Raises Allegations in Balochistan Assembly
The controversy gained attention during a session of the Balochistan Assembly.
Dumar alleged that Forest Department vacancies in two districts were being offered in exchange for money.
According to his claims, the alleged amounts ranged between Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2 million.
The Assembly responded by ordering an immediate halt to appointments in the department. It also called for an investigation into the allegations.
However, the claims have not yet been proven through an official inquiry.
CM Sarfraz Bugti Orders High-Level Investigation
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti later ordered a high-level investigation into the recruitment complaints.
He said strict action would follow if an impartial inquiry established wrongdoing. Any action could include legal and disciplinary measures against those found responsible.
Bugti also said government jobs would not be allowed to be sold during his tenure.
During a Secretaries Committee meeting, he warned ministers and senior bureaucrats against involvement in such practices.
He said nobody would be protected if credible evidence of job-selling emerged. The latest Jobs Scandal has therefore placed recruitment procedures under greater scrutiny.
Government Moves to Strengthen Recruitment Oversight
The chief minister has also directed provincial secretaries to strengthen oversight of recruitment committees.
He asked secretaries to pledge that they would not allow government positions to be sold.
Officials were instructed to ensure appointments are transparent and based strictly on merit. Bugti has also ordered an AI-based merit recruitment policy for Grade 5 posts and above.
Under the plan, recruitment tests will be conducted locally. The provincial government says the system should reduce political interference and favouritism.
It is also intended to limit other forms of influence during recruitment.
Earlier Recruitment Complaints Also Investigated
The controversy follows earlier concerns about government appointments in Balochistan.
In August, Bugti ordered the Chief Minister’s Inspection Team to examine separate recruitment complaints.
Those complaints involved alleged appointments of non-local candidates to Grade-IV positions. The disputed appointments were reported in the Fisheries and Forest departments in Gwadar.
Bugti also directed authorities to conduct Grade-IV recruitment tests locally. Officials were instructed to follow relevant district quotas during the recruitment process.
Inquiry Will Determine Facts Behind Jobs Scandal
The latest allegations remain under investigation.
No official or other individual has been established as guilty based on the information provided. The inquiry is expected to determine whether recruitment rules were violated.
It will also examine whether officials or intermediaries participated in the alleged sale of government posts.
The Jobs Scandal has renewed debate about transparency and merit-based hiring in Balochistan. Government employment remains highly sought after across the province.
Any proven financial dealings in recruitment could damage public confidence in the hiring system.
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The outcome of the investigation will therefore be closely watched by job seekers and provincial authorities.
