Government jobs for sale
Unemployment, poverty and social distress have plagued Sindh for years. In a province where people are driven to the brink — selling their children, facing hunger, and even resorting to suicide — the dream of a stable government job is a distant hope for many. Unfortunately, this hope is crushed not by a lack of ability but by the deep-rooted corruption within the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC).
According to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023, around 39.3% of Pakistan's population lives in multidimensional poverty, with Sindh being one of the worst-affected provinces. Coupled with this, Pakistan ranked 133 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, highlighting the magnitude of institutional decay.
The recruitment process in Sindh has become nothing more than a money-making enterprise. The so-called merit-based system has been replaced with a marketplace where jobs are sold to the highest bidder. Demanding hefty bribes in exchange for government positions is now the norm. There are even fixed rates — higher for 16th and 17th grade posts, lower for junior positions.
The SPSC, which should be upholding integrity and fairness, has turned into a symbol of exploitation and deceit. It no longer conducts genuine recruitment tests; instead, it plays with the sentiments of thousands of deserving candidates. Rather than continuing the façade of open competition, it would be more honest for the Sindh government to shut down the SPSC altogether and open a shop to sell jobs openly, complete with price tags.
The sale of government jobs in Sindh is not just a betrayal of merit, but a crime against the very citizens the state is meant to serve. As long as jobs remain for sale, the cycle of poverty, hopelessness and injustice will continue. Urgent reforms, transparency and accountability are needed to restore the credibility of public institutions. Only then can the youth of Sindh be given a fair chance at a dignified, merit-based future.
Basit Muhammad
Islamabad
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Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Express Tribune
Government jobs for sale
Unemployment, poverty and social distress have plagued Sindh for years. In a province where people are driven to the brink — selling their children, facing hunger, and even resorting to suicide — the dream of a stable government job is a distant hope for many. Unfortunately, this hope is crushed not by a lack of ability but by the deep-rooted corruption within the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC). According to the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023, around 39.3% of Pakistan's population lives in multidimensional poverty, with Sindh being one of the worst-affected provinces. Coupled with this, Pakistan ranked 133 out of 180 countries in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, highlighting the magnitude of institutional decay. The recruitment process in Sindh has become nothing more than a money-making enterprise. The so-called merit-based system has been replaced with a marketplace where jobs are sold to the highest bidder. Demanding hefty bribes in exchange for government positions is now the norm. There are even fixed rates — higher for 16th and 17th grade posts, lower for junior positions. The SPSC, which should be upholding integrity and fairness, has turned into a symbol of exploitation and deceit. It no longer conducts genuine recruitment tests; instead, it plays with the sentiments of thousands of deserving candidates. Rather than continuing the façade of open competition, it would be more honest for the Sindh government to shut down the SPSC altogether and open a shop to sell jobs openly, complete with price tags. The sale of government jobs in Sindh is not just a betrayal of merit, but a crime against the very citizens the state is meant to serve. As long as jobs remain for sale, the cycle of poverty, hopelessness and injustice will continue. Urgent reforms, transparency and accountability are needed to restore the credibility of public institutions. Only then can the youth of Sindh be given a fair chance at a dignified, merit-based future. Basit Muhammad Islamabad
Express Tribune
12-02-2025
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Graft index: Pakistan slips to 135th place
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Corruption woes
Listen to article Pakistan's ranking on Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index 2024 has once again slipped, from 133 in 2023 to 135 out of 180 countries. While a decline of two spots may seem marginal, it is symptomatic of a deeper malaise that has long plagued the country's governance and economy. Since 1997, Pakistan's CPI scores have fluctuated, but the broader trend has remained discouraging. The highest score recorded was 2.7 in 1998, while the lowest dip to 2.1 came in 2004 and 2005. Decades later, the needle has barely moved in a positive direction. Globally, corruption remains rampant, with more than two-thirds of the world's nations scoring below 50 out of 100 - a stark reminder of how entrenched the problem has become. It weakens governance, deters investment, exacerbates inequality and leaves nations struggling to find footing. For Pakistan, what makes this year's decline even more concerning is that Pakistan, despite holding up against the regional downslide, still finds itself on a downward trajectory. While countries like Oman, China, Turkiye, and Mongolia managed to either stabilise or improve their positions, Pakistan has once again failed to make meaningful progress. Pakistan's fight with financial mismanagement and political patronage continues to impede development. Despite repeated promises by successive governments to curb corruption, anti-corruption efforts are often selective, politically motivated or short-lived. Institutions meant to ensure accountability, such as FIA and NAB, have long been used as coercive tools rather than independent bodies committed to upholding integrity. Without genuine accountability mechanisms and an end to selective justice, Pakistan will continue its downward spiral, both in corruption ranking and in the confidence of its own people. The law must be applied equally, without regard for political affiliations, military influence or bureaucratic status.
