IT is a common practice that one needs to get photo copies of the education documents attested by a gazetted officer before applying for a job or admission to an educational institution.

It is an effective method to ensure the authenticity of the documents and check background of the candidates, keeping in view the current situation of the country.

But it is a headache for those who don’t have a relative or acquaintance who is a gazetted officer. Sometimes the documents are attested by an officer who does not know the candidate. In this case, what is the purpose of attestation?

For the people who pursue officers to get their copies stamped, the exercise is nothing short of a mental trauma.

Recently, the Indian government, in order to give relief to the common people, has allowed the self-attestation of documents in all departments and original documents are asked for only at the final stage.

I request the authorities to provide similar relief to the people of Pakistan.

Imtiaz Ali Memon

Matiari

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2014