Balochistan quota: Ministries, divisions told to fill in vacant posts

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has directed all ministries and divisions to expedite recruitment against vacant posts in Basic Pay Scales (BS-1 to BS-15) allocated to Balochistan under the provincial quota, introducing one-time relaxations to facilitate eligible candidates from across the province.

According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Establishment Division on October 27, 2026, the recruitment process is to be completed before November 30, 2026. Ministries and divisions have been directed to advertise the vacancies immediately through the National Job Portal.

The memorandum, issued under reference F. No. 2/5/2026-BEFC/001, outlines special arrangements to accelerate recruitment against vacant federal government posts reserved for Balochistan.

Under the prescribed arrangements, candidates possessing a local or valid residence certificate of Balochistan will be eligible to compete for the advertised vacancies on merit.

The authorities have also been directed to observe the prescribed quotas for women and minorities. However, where eligible candidates are not available against reserved quotas during the advertised recruitment process, the remaining vacancies may be filled on open merit from among eligible candidates from Balochistan.

In another relaxation, ministries, divisions and boards may ease internal restrictions limiting recruitment to residents of a particular tehsil, district or division. The measure is intended to enable eligible candidates from across the province to compete for the available positions on merit.

The Establishment Division has further allowed the recruitment process, including scrutiny of documents and walk-in interviews, to be conducted locally in the concerned districts of Balochistan through duly constituted selection committees.

The relevant ministries, divisions and departments have been instructed to publicise vacancies, eligibility requirements, interview venues, dates and selection criteria in advance. They must also maintain a complete record of the recruitment proceedings.

As an additional facilitation, the requirement to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) for recruitment from the Establishment Division’s Surplus Pool has been waived for this special recruitment drive.

The memorandum also requires ministries and divisions to submit nominations of selection committee members, along with their contact details, to the Establishment Division by October 29, 2026.

Vacancies are to be advertised through a dedicated tab on the National Job Portal using the prescribed template attached to the memorandum. The recruitment exercise is to be initiated immediately to meet the November 30 deadline.

The special arrangements are aimed at simplifying procedural requirements and broadening access to federal government employment for eligible candidates from across Balochistan.

The memorandum has been circulated to the relevant federal government ministries and divisions for immediate compliance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026