ADVERTISED in 2019 and conducted in 2020, the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) 2020 by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) first witnessed, say, an unprecedented delay in result declaration, and then, as ill luck would have it, the exam itself was declared null and void by the Sindh High Court on account of procedural irregularities.

Subsequently, the exam was conducted again in June 2023 and the results were declared in March 2024. Call it the murder of justice or the sheer bad luck of hard-working candidates, the SPSC produced astounding results, with almost 70 per cent of aspirants failing to clear the Current and Pakistan Affairs paper, which was largely based on subjects that are taught to every student in Pakistan across the academic journey from schools to universities. Even among the ‘lucky’ ones who cleared the paper, none managed to secure even 40 marks out of 100. This is beyond comprehension, and, therefore, frustrating.

Unfortunately, the SPSC does not hold a good reputation when it comes to maintaining transparency as well as meritocracy. The Supreme Court should intervene to ensure justice in the case.

Name withheld on request
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2024