Daily Times

A state handles its affairs with the dependable contribution from its institutions as vibrant institutions make a state enviably robust. In these institutional entities lie both dos and don’ts to be adhered with. The term ‘institution’ is generally defined as an organisation established to take care for and promote a certain cause or implement some socio-economic programme leading to overall good governance within the territorial limits of the state. An institution is not individualistic show to decide the things at whims and caprices of someone and move ahead. Rather it is an office or amalgamation of a few offices mandated to oversee and manage the transaction of affairs having a direct or indirect bearing on the running of the day-to-day business of the state. An institution staffed by people known for their uprightness never resorts to the disparity between socially high and low, haves and have-nots, black and white, etc. rather it follows the inviolable criteria endearing the spirit of equality.

An institution’s formation is an arduous process taking a long time to reach maturity and flourish. In the case of Pakistan, the country had initially hopped around due to the absence of institutions of worth until these were gradually conceived and made functional mostly in line with those left by the British. Of these ‘Public Service Commission’ is one of the most important institutional platforms to suitably vet and recommend candidates for being employed in both technocracy and bureaucracy of the country. Both the bureaucrats and technocrats, so selected, are to do as custodian of respective institutions and manage the affairs falling under their purview. There are five such ‘Public Service Commission’ offices: one each in four provinces including one Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) based in Islamabad. Of these, the working of SPSC (Sindh Public Service Commission) came under allegations, from time to time, indulging in nepotism and favouritism in its dealings. Besides SPSC, Chief Executive of Sindh province also has authority to fill a certain percentage of vacancies in the police department and civil bureaucracy while observing the codal formalities. This authority is invariably used to serve political expediencies. Under this authority, a large number of officers appointed from time to time are presently serving at senior grades in different departments. On a number of occasions, even the codal formalities were not observed rendering such appointments questionable. Such discretionary powers deprive many deserving candidates who are neither political nor have so-called wherewithal to get themselves appointed. Resultantly, a large segment of youth gets disappointed and demoralised.

Political influence has unfortunately made inroads into SPSC functioning, jeopardising its credibility. The appointment of its chairman and nomination of members have usually been a topic of public discourse raising doubts on the transparency of the process. SPSC could not maintain its neutrality in its affairs less during the short stint of Justice (Retired) Agha Rafique Ahmed Khan as chairman. He was appointed as chairman in June 2014 for five years fixed tenure, but he had to bow out in January 2015 before completion of his normal tenure. Justice Rafique in an interview to media revealed that political pressure could not allow him to do justice with his official responsibilities. Despite such pressure, he upheld the spirit of merit and transparency in the conduct of recruitment of a large number of ASIs (Assistant Sub Inspectors) in Sindh Police.

After the resignation of Justice (retired) Agha Rafique Ahmed Khan, another saga started in SPSC when its chairman and few of its members were drawn from right and left and were appointed. One individual, a school teacher, was posted on deputation in the slot of controller examination in SPSC. Apparently, to dodge the ruling of Supreme Court asking for repatriation of all individuals working on deputation in different departments in the province to their parent departments, a vacancy of Deputy Controller Examination was created in SPSC and hurriedly filled in by appointing him as deputy controller. Later somehow, the gentleman had to report back to his original department (school education). This is how judiciary got the anomaly corrected.

Of late, Supreme Court of Pakistan took suo motto notice of some glaring irregularities observed in the conduct of recently held Combined Competitive Examination (CCE). The honourable court heard counsels representing Sindh Government and SPSC, and during the course of its hearings raised a number of valid questions. Subsequently, the apex court reserved the judgment. Some issues are casting serious doubts on the impartiality of SPSC. Firstly, the extraordinary time SPSC took in the conduct of CCE, which even FPSC does not take despite having more workload than SPSC. CCE was advertised in August 2013, with screening test scheduled in November 2013 but was held in December 2014 and its result was declared in January 2015; written examination was held in April 2015 and viva voce of successful candidates was concluded sometime in August 2016 and ‘offer orders’ were issued by the end of last year. This entire period involves about three years and four months. Secondly, the candidates despite being a graduate from institutes of good repute failed their major subjects. This failure is somewhat difficult to understand. Thirdly, certain questions of optional paper of Islamic History Period-II were included in Islamic History Period-I. Fourthly, a few candidates were issued ‘two roll numbers’ in contravention of rules. And lastly, some of the candidates were declared successful in written examination, but their roll numbers were missing in the list of screening test result, suggesting to have not taken the screening test. Howsoever, these observations appear to be simple or based on media reports, but these do require serious attention. And apex court has indeed taken these glaring sagging areas into account.

The Supreme Court in its suo moto notice hearing raised one of a very valid question putting Sindh Government and SPSC into an untenable situation. As per the given criterion, individual(s) to be appointed as chairman and member of SPSC must have retired in PBS-20 with at least five years’ service (in BPS-20) to his/ her credit. Whereas these prerequisites were violated while appointing Mr Muhammad Saleem Bhounr as chairman and few others as members of SPSC, who oversaw the conduct of CCE. The Apex court’s ‘yet to be issued judgment’ would indeed be upholding the spirit of law and merit.

Institutions suffer credibility and reputation crisis when political considerations are involved in their running. SPSC has always been the victim of such fate. There has hardly been any such episode in other provinces. Individuals with political trappings cannot be expected to run institutions apolitically. When institutions fail to deliver, people stand disappointed. In the current scenario, there might be even some deserving candidates who passed all the segments of CCE, but their frustration should blame the political manoeuvring by the political bigwigs, which caused the birth of anomalies inviting the attention of Supreme Court to intervene benignantly. The apex court shall certainly stand by the law and would uphold the principle of justice in it’s ‘yet to be issued’ decree. The latter is likely to be epochally significant sending shivers down the spine of those averse to meritocracy and institutional strength. The discomfiture of such people will be institution’s win. And here lies the good of the state and thereby of people.

The writer is a freelance contributor, presently working on a paper researching rural crime and causes. He can be reached on Twitter @M_ABaloch