AGE BARRIER

Published June 8, 2026 Updated June 8, 2026 05:36am

AGE BARRIER: A rigid age ceiling in practice stops young people from stepping into desired careers in government service, and limits their chances to compete more than once. It takes a number of years for students, especially those who also run their families, to complete their respective degree programmes, leaving them with very limited opportunities to apply for positions that match their educational qualifications. If such a restriction is lifted or at least relaxed up to the age of, say, 40, many unemployed youths would hunt better opportunities in return for the large sums of money and years of hard work they invested during their educational journey.

M. Sharafat Ali Zia
Islamabad

INCLUSIVE POLICY: The recruitment framework in Sindh for differently-abled people needs improvement. Sindh remains the only province where such candidates are not granted age relaxation either in competitive examinations or in the general recruitment process. In contrast, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) and all other provincial commissions have already extended age limits for persons with disabilities. These policies reflect a commitment to inclusivity. The absence of such a provision in Sindh places capable and deserving candidates at a clear disadvantage. There is an urgent need for the Sindh government to formulate a comprehensive and inclusive policy.

Aamir Hussain
Khairpur Mirs

POWER PARADOX: It is often argued by the authorities that Pakistan has installed excess power-production capacity despite the fact that people are facing more than eight hours of loadshedding daily. If surplus capacity exists, why does scarcity persist? A similar problem exists in the natural gas sector. Such persistent anomalies are more than just technical errors; they hint at underlying structural flaws in governance. Without clear decision-making and cohesive energy planning, such crises will continue to haunt our power sector, undermining both public trust and economic stability.

Jandad Shah Mandokhail
Zhob

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026