KARACHI: National Accountability Bureau Sindh has filed a reference against Ex-Chairman of the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) and 18 beneficiary officers for involvement in illegal appointments. Separately, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah visited the NAB headquarters on Tuesday regarding investigation against officers of Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA). On Wednesday, NAB Karachi filed the reference in an Accountability Court at Hyderabad against accused Muhammad Hassan Bhutto, Ex-Chairman of the SPSC; Muhammad Umer Zaur, Ex-Controller Examination; and 18 beneficiary officers illegally appointed on government posts on the basis of fraudulent recommendations by SPSC in Combined Competitive Examination – 2003. The accused persons, who are ex-SPSC officials, have been charged of illegally favouring candidates by recommending their names by tampering with answer booklets, depriving rightful candidates of their merit. Whereas, the beneficiaries include 18 officers of gazeted posts currently serving the government in various departments. On the other hand, the Chief Minister visited NAB headquarter in Karachi on Tuesday, to discuss the status of investigation against officers of Sindh Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (STEVTA). The investigation was initiated at NAB Karachi headquarter on the basis of complaints received by the authority regarding illegal appointments in STEVTA in different grades during 2012. During investigation, Hafizullah Abbassi, Ex-MD, and Yousaf Baloch were arrested. Accordingly, a reference was filed in the Accountability Court, Karachi. Later on, STEVTA’s board ratified illegal actions of Ex-MD. The Chief Minister Sindh, in follow up of STEVTA board meeting, gave ex-post facto approval of ratification of amendment in STEVTA recruitment policy. The Chief Minister stated that a sub-committee was constituted which had recommended the ratification of amendments in STEVTA Recruitment Policy. Published in Daily Times, March 15th 2018.