Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Cabinet Committee of the National Assembly on Wednesday severely criticised the National Testing Service (NTS) and declared it a big fraud.

The cabinet committee would take comprehensive briefing on NTS next meeting while the committee passed the Federal Public Service Commission Amendment Bill unanimously. Under this bill, all appointments of grade 11 and above will be made through FPSC as well.

The committee met under the chairmanship of Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan in the Parliament House. Members of the committee, Malik Qasim Noon and Javed Ali Shah, criticised the NTS in strong words and declared it a mafia, saying NTS had looted millions from the people. Its head left the country because he had a fake educational degree, they claimed.

At this, the committee chairman said that he had complaints as well against NTS and the issue would be discussed in the next meeting.

The committee unanimously approved the Federal Public Services Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2016 moved by MNA Dr Fouzia Hameed which was aimed at bringing in recruitments in civil services in BPS-11 and above within the purview of the FPSC. The committee pended its further discussion on the National Conflict of Interest Bill, 2016 moved by MNA Murad Saeed till approval of the proposed amendments in Government Servants (Conduct) Rules, 1964 by the prime minister.

Murad Saeed was of the view that public office holders’ relatives should not be given favourable treatment and a commission should be formed to look into the matter. The Law Ministry opposed the bill and said government was ready to take action if someone violated the code of conduct.