Editorial:
Addressing a press conference, the Spokeswoman government of Balochistan, Farah Azeem Shah revealed that all provincial departments have been empowered to conduct recruitment of employees on ‘merit’. She said all contracts and agreements with various testing services stand canceled. This is an open secret that ministers, advisers, and parliamentary secretaries would influence the process of appointment through provincial departments.
Balochistan was already famous and known for worst governance, lack of transparency in the execution of development projects, and irregularities in appointments of employees. However, the province made some positive strides in the appointments of government employees in general and teachers in particular through testing services. If not 100 percent, almost more than 70 to 80 percent transparency and merit were ensured in appointments of government employees through testing services.
Indeed, the Jam Kamal government deserves appreciation for the appointment of over 9,000 teachers and over 1,000 doctors to improve the two important sectors. None dispute the process of appointment in the two departments.
Jobs on sale is talk of the town
However, candidates have repeatedly expressed their reservations about the recruitment process in the rest of the departments including agriculture, mines and minerals, industries, levies, PDMA, prisons, etc.
In Balochistan, more than 20,000 posts are lying vacant in various provincial departments. Chief Minister Mir Quddus Bizenjo led government has made repeated promises about ensuring transparency and merit in the appointment process. However, this decision has alarm bells among the competent and educated candidates striving to get a respectable job.
Testing services are not ideal. However, a mechanism should be framed to further strengthen transparency and merit in terms of the appointment of government employees. The poverty and unemployment ratio in Balochistan is high as compared to other parts of the country. The provincial government should reverse its decision and make sure appointments through testing services a transparent way.
