16/04/2025
Court-Directed Stay on Recent FPSC Positions
Health Education and Nutrition Officer, in Department of Health, GB
(Human Nutrition, Food Science, and Technology Graduates
Background:
A stay order has been issued by the court regarding the recently advertised FPSC positions. This was initiated by project staff from the Scaling Up Nutrition Gilgit-Baltistan.
These individuals were originally appointed in 2019 under the Gilgit-Baltistan Nutrition Program as Tehsil Health Education and Nutrition Officers (22 posts) for two years, later extended for one year until June 2023. Subsequently, they were directly transferred to the Scaling Up Nutrition Gilgit-Baltistan project without a proper recruitment process, an act deemed unlawful under the GB Finance Act.
Eligibility Concern:
According to FPSC criteria (document attached), eligible candidates for Nutrition Officer roles must possess a degree in Human Nutrition or Food Technology. However, in 2019, individuals with degrees in unrelated fields such as Environmental Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Zoology, Botany, Bioinformatics, and Plant Pathology were appointed by the Department of Health through one of the most corrupt testing service CTSP.
Recent Developments:
FPSC has now advertised two of the six vacant positions for Health Education and Nutrition Officers in the Department of Health, GB. If these positions are not filled through transparent and merit-based FPSC procedures, the department may face the following consequences:
Legal action for previous unlawful appointments
Public protests against the Nutrition Programs due to the appointment of unqualified personnel in health and nutrition roles
Recommendations:
Immediately advertise all six vacant Health Education and Nutrition Officer positions through FPSC.
Ensure only candidates with relevant academic backgrounds are recruited through a fair test and interview process
