Sindh govt finds senior officials posted on fake domiciles, PRCs

During an enquiry about senior officials posted in Sindh, the provincial government has found that they have been using fake domiciles and permanent residence certificates (PRCs) for getting jobs in Sindh. The provincial government has sought their documents from the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in this regard.

Officials said the home department recently wrote to the FPSC secretary with the following subject: ‘Non-residents of Sindh belonging to other provinces getting jobs on Sindh quota by getting Sindh domicile and PRC’.

The home department’s letter reads: “I am directed to refer to the subject cited above and to state that it has been raised on various forums in the province of Sindh that non-residents of Sindh province are getting jobs on Sindh domicile / PRC.

“It has been pointed out specifically that persons originally belonging to other provinces have passed the CCE [Combined Competitive Examination] and the CSS [Central Superior Service] exams through the FPSC on Sindh quota.

“In this regard, it is requested that photocopies of domiciles, PRCs and CNICs [computerised national identity cards] submitted to the FPSC by the below named individuals who took part in the FPSC and CSS exams in the year 2020 may please be provided to the home department, Government of Sindh for further examination and verification from the issuing districts concerned. Earliest reply in the matter is requested please.”

Copies of the letter were also sent to the deputy secretary (staff) to Sindh chief secretary and the staff officer to Sindh additional chief secretary (home), so that the officers concerned named may themselves submit, if it comes to their knowledge, the relevant documents to the home department.

Moreover, a letter was also moved by the home department to all the deputy commissioners of Sindh with the following subject: ‘Use of domicile certificates for jobs and admissions to educational institutes by residents of other provinces on Sindh province quota (urban and rural)’.

The letter reads: “I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to communicate to ensure the necessary action within your district in letter and spirit. The relevant points in brief are as follow:-

“Personally, look into and issue domiciles and PRCs with diligence. Field enquiry must be conducted especially in doubtful cases. Properly monitor domiciles’ and PRCs’ issuance, including those by any private partner duly engaged in the process, if any.

“Proper affidavits be ensured. Domiciles and PRCs are two separate entities, and more diligence is required in PRC issuance, and keep a copy, and all the related staff must know the laws (the Pakistan Citizenship Act 1951, and Rules 1952, and the Sindh PRC Rules 1971), and the procedure.

“Proper register in Form E under the Sindh PRC rule must be properly maintained. Proper attested copies of documents be obtained for property, educational and others. Same must also be verified, and domiciles and PRCs cancelled if found bogus and unverified documents.

“Carry out deep scrutiny of domiciles and PRCs issued by your office to unearth any wrong, double, doubtful domiciles and PRCs issued in the last 10 years and take necessary action under law for their cancellation through the office of the divisional commissioner and the chairman of the Divisional Scrutiny Committee.”