The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has received 900 applications for 12 positions in different attached departments of the Ministry, it is learnt. The Petroleum Ministry on June 28 published an advertisement and sought applications from eligible persons with relevant experience in the field, and so far 900 applications have been received against these positions.
As per advertisement, the Ministry has set following screening requirements for the applicants before forwarding the applications to the commission for further action: (i) maximum age not beyond 60 years (ii) application be received within 15 days of the publication of advertisement and (iii) candidates must have 15 years experience in the relevant field. Applications not fulfilling the aforementioned requirements will not be considered for the short-listing, which is in accordance with the Supreme Court of Pakistan verdict dated June 6, 2013.
The Ministry is seeking to appoint experienced and honest individuals as head of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited, Sui Southern Gas Company limited, Government Holding Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Pakistan State Oil, Pakistan Mineral Development Company Limited, Hydro Carbon Institute of Pakistan Limited, Lakra Coal development Company Limited, Inter State Gas System, and Saindak Metals Limited.
When contacted Secretary Petroleum Ministry Abid Saeed said, "yes the ministry has received a lot of applications, but I am unable to give the exact number." When asked about the short listing and scrutiny of such a huge number of applicants, he said "this is the responsibility of the commission." The huge number of applications for 12 positions shows the rampant unemployment among the highly educated population in the country.