US launches heavy strikes on Iran after missile at…

  Lahore: A newly issued recruitment advertisement by PECTAA and shared by the Punjab education minister on his social media handles, has sparked strong reactions and disappointment among thousands of job applicants across Punjab. Candidates have expressed their concerns over the decision to announce vacancies that, according to them, had already been advertised previously and for which the recruitment process had already begun. Applicants stated that the same positions were announced in July last year, following which thousands of candidates from different districts of Punjab completed the application procedure and appeared in the recruitment test conducted by PECTAA at Punjab University, Lahore. Many candidates invested significant time, effort, and money in preparing for the examination and completing all required formalities. However, despite the successful completion of the written test, the recruitment process was discontinued without any clear explanation. Candidates who had participated in the earlier process have been waiting for further updates and hoped that the authorities would complete the recruitment procedure based on the test results already obtained. Instead, PECTAA has recently issued a new advertisement for the same vacancies, requiring candidates to submit fresh applications and pay a new processing fee of Rs. 3,000 for each post. The decision has caused frustration among job seekers, who argue that they should not be forced to repeat the entire process or pay additional charges when they have already fulfilled the required criteria. Several candidates have criticised the move, describing it as an unnecessary financial burden on unemployed youth who are already facing difficult economic conditions. They claim that demanding another application fee from thousands of applicants creates additional hardship and raises questions about the transparency and fairness of the recruitment procedure. Responding to the concerns, PECTAA spokesperson Noorul Huda told Minute Mirror that the department decided to initiate another round of tests and interviews after failing to find suitable candidates for the advertised positions. When informed that applicants had already appeared in the written test and those who qualified had also been called for interviews, the spokesperson said that both the written test and the interview are necessary to determine a candidate’s suitability for recruitment. He also defended the decision to charge a fresh application fee for the new recruitment process. However, candidates maintained that the recruitment process itself imposes an additional financial burden, as PECTAA conducts both its written tests and interviews in Lahore. Applicants from across Punjab have to travel to the provincial capital for each stage of the recruitment process, resulting in considerable transportation and accommodation expenses. The affected candidates have strongly appealed to PECTAA officials to reconsider the decision and acknowledge the applications submitted during the previous recruitment drive. They have demanded that the authorities complete the pending recruitment process using the test results of candidates who already appeared in the examination. According to the protesting applicants, restarting the entire process not only wastes the efforts of thousands of candidates but also creates uncertainty about the future of those who have already invested months preparing for the opportunity. They believe that conducting another recruitment cycle for the same positions is unfair unless there is a valid reason and proper justification from the concerned department. Candidates have also requested the Punjab Government and senior officials to intervene in the matter and investigate the issue. They urged the authorities to provide relief by accepting the previous applications, avoiding unnecessary fee collection, and ensuring that the recruitment process is conducted in a transparent and merit-based manner. The applicants said that unemployed youth across Punjab are looking toward government institutions for fair opportunities and expect recruitment systems to protect their time, effort, and financial investments. They called for immediate action from relevant authorities so that the recruitment process can move forward without causing further inconvenience to candidates.  

  Senior Sindh Minister and Provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday launched a sharp criticism of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), accusing the ruling party of coming to power through a “fake mandate” and challenging it to contest fresh elections in Punjab to prove its public support. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Sharjeel Memon alleged that the PML-N government lacked genuine electoral legitimacy and was holding office on the basis of what he described as “Form 47.” He claimed that the party did not secure the mandate of the people in the 2024 general elections and questioned its popularity, particularly in Punjab. Addressing recent political developments, Memon alleged that serious electoral irregularities had taken place during the Azad Jammu and Kashmir elections. He claimed that the polls were marred by extensive rigging and criticized the conduct of the electoral process. Referring to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s recent remarks, he said her statements reflected what he described as “theft followed by defiance,” accusing the ruling party of attempting to justify its actions instead of addressing concerns raised by the opposition. The senior Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader said the PML-N government was surviving on what he termed a “charity mandate” rather than genuine public support. He reiterated his claim that the party’s government was a product of “Form 47,” a reference frequently used by opposition parties in connection with allegations regarding the 2024 general election results. Memon argued that the people of Sindh had clearly expressed their confidence in the Pakistan Peoples Party during the 2024 elections by voting in its favor. He contrasted the PPP’s electoral performance with that of the PML-N, claiming that the ruling party had suffered a significant political setback despite ultimately forming the federal government.   Continuing his criticism, the Sindh minister challenged the PML-N leadership to dissolve the Punjab government and seek a fresh public mandate. He claimed that if elections were held again in the province, the ruling party would fail to secure the support it claims to enjoy. According to Memon, public opinion in Punjab does not reflect the electoral outcome that brought the PML-N to power. He further alleged that the leadership of the PML-N had repeatedly left the country after reaching political agreements, contrasting that with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s political history. Memon maintained that PPP leaders had remained in Pakistan during difficult political periods and continued to face challenges rather than leaving the country. The provincial minister also accused federal ministers belonging to the PML-N of attempting to influence the electoral process in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He claimed that several federal ministers remained present in Mirpur Division until the morning of polling day and sought to influence the local administration. According to Memon, the actions of the federal ministers amounted to a violation of the Election Commission’s code of conduct. He alleged that government officials were pressured during the election process, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the polls. The remarks come amid continuing political tensions between the Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz over electoral legitimacy, governance, and recent elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Opposition parties have repeatedly raised concerns regarding the conduct of elections, while the ruling coalition has rejected allegations of irregularities and maintained that the electoral process was conducted in accordance with the law. Sharjeel Memon concluded by reiterating his challenge to the PML-N leadership, insisting that a fresh election in Punjab would provide the true test of the party’s public support and determine whether it genuinely enjoys the confidence of the electorate.