The Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the Sindh High Court’s directive to recheck answer scripts for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE-2024), bringing a temporary halt to the process that had left thousands of candidates in limbo.
A three-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the petition filed by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). The commission argued that the high court’s order to allow the re-evaluation of papers—and subsequently halt interviews—threatened to derail the entire recruitment timeline for provincial civil service posts.
For the candidates, the court’s intervention is a significant setback. Many had pinned their hopes on the SHC’s earlier ruling, which sought to address widespread allegations of marking irregularities and lack of transparency in the screening process. The high court had initially ordered that papers be rechecked to ensure merit, effectively acting as a safeguard against claims of bias.
The SPSC’s legal team pushed back, insisting that the commission followed established protocols. They maintained that opening the door for mass rechecking would set a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to endless litigation and administrative gridlock.
The Supreme Court’s suspension order means the SPSC is now free to move forward with the interview phase, despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the written results.
Critics of the commission, however, argue that moving ahead without addressing the grievances of unsuccessful candidates undermines the credibility of the civil service. Various petitioners have long complained that the CCE-2024 process was marred by “out-of-syllabus” questions and inconsistent grading, issues they claim the SPSC has consistently ignored.
The apex court has issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing. For now, the recruitment cycle continues, but the legal battle over the integrity of the exams remains far from settled.
