THIS refers to the memo on May 6 issued by the Establishment Division regarding issues related to the testing agencies. I condemn this mechanism which is unfair to the applicants.

Testing agencies was the best option for getting a fair result with transparent, excellence, merit. Now applicants will suffer from eligibility lists, age problems, education criteria, apart from travelling to the departments concerned.

Testing agencies used to offer options to candidates to opt for their desired place of tests where one can easily go while paying a fee of Rs300 to Rs500. Currently, there are about five testing services in the country of which National Testing Service (NTS) is the major one with centres in major areas. It is the oldest one, working since 2003.

The other testing services are Balochistan Testing Service (BTS), Pakistan Testing Service (PTS), Sindh Testing Service (STS) and Universal Testing Services (UTS). These testing services are utilised by various government and private sector institutions for admissions, recruitments and even promotions.

These organisations were giving facility to the candidates during the examinations and quick results on their websites with transparency. Now it seems that Establishment Division’s action would seem to help those who have connections at the right places in various departments.

I urge the prime minister to have mercy on unemployed youth and look into the matter and order the authorities concerned to do recruitment by using testing services.

Sajjad Abro
Larkana

Published in Dawn, July 9th, 2020