THE resolution passed by the Senate on Monday recommending that all Federal Ministries and their attached departments should create job portals on their respective websites for online merit-based procedure to ensure transparency reflects aspirations of the people, who have lost trust and confidence in the highly flawed recruitment system in the country.
The resolution further said it will discourage dishonest practices that are jeopardizing the merit system.
Despite repeated claims made by almost all successive governments, the idea of merit-based recruitments remains a far off cry because of the stakes involved and the tendency of showering favours on political workers and supporters.
There were times when jobs were virtually sold, depriving those who otherwise qualified tests and interviews but they were relegated in the list of the competitors through dirty tactics.
Then came the idea of National Testing Service (NTS) which proved to be a step towards meritocracy for some time but with the passage of time corrupt practices crept in and the institution lost its credibility and worth.
The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that now questions are raised about transparency of the procedures adopted by the Federal and Provincial Public Service Commissions in the backdrop of leakage of papers and some other malpractices.
The present government champions the cause of merit and transparency but it too has, so far, failed to devise a trustworthy mechanism for recruitment against vacant posts.
The recommendation made by the upper house offers a solution to this perennial problem but much depends on the way it is practically implemented.
Machines are surely neutral but what about those responsible for their software, data entry and operation.
We will, therefore, have to work hard to restore the lost confidence of the people in the recruitment process which is not an impossible task given the highly transparent procedure adopted for selection of teachers by the Punjab Government.
