THE Sindh government presents its e-transfer policy for teachers as a landmark reform, promising zero paperwork, instant processing, and transparency in postings and transfers. Such claims are appealing in a province where discretionary transfers have long affected morale and governance. However, a closer look at the policy’s operational framework reveals a clear gap between the stated objectives and administrative reality.

Despite being branded as paperless, the notification itself contradicts the narrative as it requires the teachers to submit their applications along with a number of ‘certificates’ as well as a formal application duly signed and stamped by the relevant authority. A process that continues to depend on physical signatures and official stamps cannot really be said to have zero paperwork. In effect, the mechanism digitises only the submission stage, while the verification and approval processes remain manual, fragmented and dependent on human discretion.

The insistence on manually signed ‘No Dues; and ‘No Inquiry’ certificates is especially problematic as these documents merely confirm information already held by the government. In a genuinely electronic system, such verifications would be automatically generated through integrated databases rather than requiring employees to physically visit offices for attestations. The fact is that teachers are now forced to do everything they had been doing earlier, and then get the documents scanned before uploading them onto the portal. This hybrid model neither improves efficiency nor enhances transparency.

Teachers posted in remote or under-served areas face even greater hardship in obtaining physical signatures, and they face serious internet connectivity issues as well. A process that is uniform on paper, but unequal in effect, cannot be considered fair.

The solution lies in institutional reforms in the shape of inter-departmental inte-gration. Without top-level intervention, piecemeal changes will continue to fail.

Ali Hussain
Karachi

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026