Islamabad: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned Chairman of the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, in connection with 332 alleged illegal appointments made in violation of recruitment procedures and quota rules.
During a PAC meeting on Wednesday, members were briefed on a significant recruitment scandal at PARC, where 332 appointments were made despite an original approval for only 164 posts. Audit officials revealed that not only was the sanctioned limit exceeded, but the appointments also breached provincial and regional quotas. The majority of the recruits reportedly hailed from just three districts, and no domicile documents were submitted for verification.
Committee member Aamir Dogar lashed out, saying, *”PARC is completely soaked in corruption. Despite a court order, Dr. Ghulam Ali remains in office. The Prime Minister ordered his removal, yet he is being awarded a Presidential honor. What is going on in this country is beyond comprehension.”
Dr. Ghulam Ali did not appear before the committee as he is reportedly on a three-month leave. The acting chairman, Afridi, appeared instead, but PAC members were not satisfied. Dogar suggested that the leave was a face-saving tactic, hinting at deeper systemic irregularities.
Chairman PAC Junaid Anwar pointedly asked, “Where is the permanent chairman? Why has he not been removed yet? We know who’s getting their relatives hired.” He added that the recruitment list includes names of relatives of the Chairman, federal ministers, and senior officials.
Audit authorities stated that due process was not followed. Advertisement criteria were allegedly manipulated, and quota regulations were ignored. The acting chairman attempted to justify the appointments by stating that out of 332 recruits, 206 were scientists hired on merit. However, PAC members rejected the explanation.
Member Shazia Marri criticized the entire process, remarking, “The advertisement itself shows malicious intent. You are here defending actions that are indefensible.” She called for a thorough probe and questioned how deserving candidates would ever get fair opportunities if such practices continued.
PAC members suggested that the case be referred to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for investigation. They further demanded a special audit of PARC’s overall performance and hiring practices.
In a surprising turn, the Secretary of Food Security admitted that irregularities had occurred and that attempts to regularize the appointments through the PARC board had failed. He distanced himself from the process, stating, “I do not agree with what was done.”
PAC members were infuriated to learn that even as the committee was investigating past appointments, PARC was in the process of hiring another 250 individuals. Committee member Hussain Tariq questioned how a research institution with “zero performance” could justify such large-scale hiring.
PAC has summoned Dr. Ghulam Ali to appear on May 6, warning that if he fails to justify the actions, a formal reference will be sent to NAB. The committee chair remarked, “If he cannot defend the decision, the case must go to NAB. I know whose relatives have been recruited — federal ministers and the chairman’s own family are on that list.”
Shazia Marri echoed public concerns, stating, “Where will talented, deserving youth go if jobs are being distributed like personal favors?”
As calls grow for accountability, all eyes are now on the upcoming PAC session, where the embattled PARC chairman will be asked to explain not only the appointments but the institutional decay under his leadership.
