ALTHOUGH the Sindh government has increased the job quota for special persons in its recruitment process from two to five per cent, there remains much to be desired, especially when it comes to integrating those with disabilities into the workforce.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), around 15pc of the population in every country consists of disabled persons. As a result, diverse measures are being taken the world over to improve the lot of specially-abled section of society. In line with its international commitments, Pakistan has also introduced different legal frameworks to mitigate the sufferings of its neglected special population.

While other provinces have done fairly well to facilitate the upward social mobility of specially-abled persons to higher positions of power, the Sindh government seems to lag dismally behind on this count. The non-provision of age relaxation to disabled persons is a case in point.

The Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) stipulates 15 years of age relaxa-tion for special persons across all job categories, including Provincial Manage-ment Service (PMS) cadres.

Similarly, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) relaxed two years for Central Superior Service (CSS) and 10 years for the general recruitments. Likewise, the Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission (KPPSC) have relaxed the age bars for special persons by 10 years.

However, the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has no such provision for this disadvantaged section of popu-lation, and treats them like the rest of the candidates, which is unfair.

This sheer neglect on the part of the government has put such souls at a disadvantage, and has defeated the very purpose of national efforts aimed at mainstreaming special persons.

To make matters worse, the SPSC has announced the schedule of Combined Competitive Examinations (CCE) without granting any relaxation to candidates who missed the chance earlier owing to the prevailing Covid pandemic at the time. This is in stark contrast to the practice of other provincial commissions.

The relevant authorities should take notice of the matter and grant special age relaxation to the mentioned category to protect the rights of all concerned.

Aamir Hussain
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2024