IN order to ensure good governance, apart from other requirements, strict observance of merit in the recruitment to civil posts is of fundamental importance.

Unfortunately, this most essential prerequisite for good governance is distressingly lacking in the present-day setup of the government.

In the good old days, besides superior services, recruitment to gazetted posts was normally made through the Public Services Commission.

Even ministerial posts in the Central Secretariat and its attached departments were filled through competitive examinations conducted by the Public Services Commission.

The criterion for recruitment to any civil post was merit alone.

However, this principle seems to have been discarded for good. Instead of strictly following the principle of merit, jobs are now doled out like booty to the candidates of the ruling party and its coalition partners.

Not only that but senior posts in our foreign missions are being offered to the favourites of the party in power. Such posts are required to be filled up, by career diplomats, who are well acquainted with the intricacies of diplomacy.

The prevailing situation has not only marred the efficiency in government departments, but has also created frustration and discontentment amongst the deserving candidates.

It is needless to mention that discrimination in recruitment is a violation of constitutional provisions.

The Father of the Nation on many occasions had advised the countrymen to keep society clean from the ill effects of jobbery, corruption, nepotism, etc.

Our salvation, therefore, lies in good governance by adhering to the principle of merit, which can surely lead us to the path of progress and prosperity.

S.K. HASAN
Karachi
Source: Dawn
Date:4/10/2010