Candidates who failed the Sindh Public Service Commission’s (SPSC) Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2024 have launched a march from Hyderabad to Karachi to protest alleged irregularities in the examination and demand reforms within the commission.
The protesters are demanding a retest of CCE 2024, structural reforms in the SPSC, the removal of the commission’s entire management and a judicial inquiry into the 2024 examination and other tests conducted for various cadres.
The candidates had established a protest camp at Thandi Sarak in Hyderabad 81 days ago, following the announcement of the CCE 2024 results.
The march is being led by Sindh Students Action Committee leaders Zabiullah Mastoi, Wajahat Hingorjo, Fakhar Zaman Khunharo, Hussain Bux Chandio and Sikilado Chandio, among others.
The protesters plan to travel from Hyderabad to Karachi through Tando Muhammad Khan and Thatta before staging a demonstration outside the Chief Minister’s House.
Some candidates challenged the examination process through a joint petition filed in the Sindh High Court (SHC). On June 30, the court ordered the rechecking of answer scripts by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Sukkur.
The SPSC subsequently challenged the SHC’s interim orders before a bench of the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC). On July 15, the FCC suspended the high court’s June 30 orders, allowing the commission to proceed with interviews of 70 candidates who had passed CCE 2024.
Speaking to journalists, committee leaders said a large number of students had joined their protest camp, but the government had failed to respond to their demands. They said the lack of action had compelled them to begin the march towards Karachi.
The candidates had announced the march after ending a hunger strike unto death at the request of Sindh’s nationalist leadership.
Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) Chairman Dr Qadir Magsi and other party leaders joined the march to express solidarity with the protesting candidates.
Magsi said the march was intended to highlight the protesters’ grievances and expose the government’s response to the alleged irregularities.
Awami Workers Party (Marxists) Secretary General Bukhshal Thallu, Sindh United Party leader Munawar Khaskheli, lawyers, civil society activists and other supporters also joined the march as it departed Hyderabad.
The protesters are seeking government action on their demands, including a transparent review of the examination process and accountability within the SPSC.
