THE recent announcement of the Compe-titive Examination 2024 results by the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC) has again triggered serious concerns regarding transparency, merit and insti-tutional credibility in public recruitment.
A large number of unsuccessful candi-dates have publicly alleged irregularities, favouritism and political influence in the selection process. A demonstration and sit-in was staged in Hyderabad in front of the SPSC office, and processions have also been taken out in various parts of the province. A constitutional petition has also been filed in this regard. Whether the allegations are ultimately proven or not, the growing mistrust itself reflects a deep institutional crisis that cannot be ignored.
Institutions like the SPSC are expected to function as independent and impartial constitutional bodies responsible for selecting the most competent individuals purely on merit. Unfortunately, public perception regarding SPSC has increasingly become negative. Institutions respon-sible for protecting merit must themselves be constituted through transparent and merit-based procedures. In modern competitive examination systems across the world, transparency is considered essential for maintaining public confidence.
The educated young in Sindh are already facing unemployment, frustration and uncertainty. If confidence in merit-based recruitment institutions collapses, the consequences for governance and social stability may become extremely serious. There is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms regarding transparent appoint-ment process for SPSC chairman and members, independent oversight and accountability mechanisms, disclosure of detailed marks and answer sheets, introduction of modern digital evaluation systems, video recording of interviews of the candidates as well as judicial and technical monitoring of the entire re-cruitment process.
Merit is the backbone of good gover-nance. Any compromise on merit ultimately damages public institutions, administration and the future of the province itself. The provincial government must take imme-diate measures to restore public trust in the SPSC through transparency, account-ability and institutional independence.
Tariq Majeed
Hyderabad
Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026