ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Commerce has once again advertised the post of Chairman, Intellectual Property Organization (IPO), as the incumbent, retired diplomat Farukh Amil, completes his three-year term in December.
Amil’s appointment in December 2022 triggered controversy almost immediately. At the time, he was above 62 years of age, a clear violation of the MP Scale Policy 2020, which requires appointees to be under 62 at the time of appointment and capable of completing a three-year term without crossing 65. The IPO Act 2012, however, does not specify an age limit, creating a legal loophole that later became the subject of litigation.
In 2023, the ministry re-advertised the post with clarified criteria, but the process was stalled when Amil obtained a stay order from the court, allowing him to continue in office. As a result, several qualified candidates who had applied in good faith were left out. Critics described the situation as a glaring case of favoritism and disregard for policy.
Now, with Amil’s tenure nearing its end, the ministry has emphasized that the new advertisement will strictly apply age and merit conditions to prevent a repeat of the controversy. But former applicants argue that their rights were violated and that they should not be forced to reapply alongside new candidates. Some have even crossed the age limit in the meantime and are considering legal action.
Officials within the ministry privately admit that the episode has been damaging, exposing gaps between statutory rules and policy guidelines. Transparency advocates warn that if the process is mishandled again, it will undermine public confidence in government recruitment. For the IPO, which is responsible for protecting Pakistan’s intellectual property rights, leadership uncertainty has already weakened institutional performance.
