Bogus domiciles

Letter July 01, 2020
In Sindh, there is an unholy nexus among office clerks across the various departments who are able to alter information on any official document

One wonders what is more lamentable — selling documents for money or buying them illegally. While getting documents issued illegally can happen in any part of the country, it is more rampant in Sindh. Administrative officers in the province encourage illegal practices perpetuated under their authority while administrative clerks are directly involved in corrupt dealings.

In Sindh, there is an unholy nexus among office clerks across the various departments who know all the tricks of their trade and are able to alter information on any official document. The Sindh Public Service Commission is particularly to blame for not properly vetting candidates. Lack of accountability prevails as no thorough checks are conducted on the background, history and academic records of these candidates. The two previous years, final results of the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) have revealed the incompetence of commission members when dozens of candidates, originally belonging to Punjab, had passed the interview. No action took place even after much public outrage on social media. There should be no place for such illegal activities in the country that is already suffering from host of challenges. We need to hire reputable and capable officials through a proper merit-based system. Only then can we work vigorously at the ground level to mend the cracks.

The fact that such corruption is deeply rooted within our governmental and administrative systems clearly indicates that there is a dire need for radical reforms. Such illicit practices hinder the progress and prosperity of the country and go against the public interest. Justice is the need of the hour and all those that are directly or indirectly involved in such acts should be persecuted.

Riaz Mahar

Sukkur

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2020.

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