I WOULD like to share with the readers the ordeal I had to go through while applying for a government job. The position of the executive engineer (civil) BPS 18 was announced through a Sindhi newspaper by Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur. The last date of submission of applications was Sept 26, 2011. The university had asked to submit the application along with a demand draft of Rs1,000. I applied for the announced position within the deadline. I received a letter no Admn:/SALU/KHP/4792 dated Dec 30, 2011, from university authorities for submission of a departmental permission letter and a duly attested experience certificate. Subsequently, a letter for interview call was received which was scheduled on Feb 20, 2012, at 12.00pm at the university campus in the senate hall.

When I reached there on time, I saw there were 10 candidates for the position.

Their signatures were received on the attendance sheet. Before our arrival interviews for different positions were underway through a very strong selection committee of the university.

Nevertheless, after interviews were finished, the university authorities refused to hold interviews for the position of the executive engineer without giving any solid reasons. I want to know if the university was not interested in interviews, why it called the candidates from far-flung areas of the country.

I think we cannot expect merit from a corrupt, inept and inefficient government. I request the chief justice of Pakistan and the army chief to take notice of such blatant corruption and direct university authorities to conduct the interview and select the candidate on merit.

ENGR YAR MUHAMMAD BOZDAR Sukkur