THE Balochistan Public Service Commission (BPSC) was established in 1970 with the aim to ensure transparency and merit in the provincial recruitment.

However, over the years the reputation of the commission tarnished as corruption and nepotism took firm root leading to severe deterioration in the performance of the commission. Jobs were bought and sold, merit was completely disregarded.

The commission succumbed to political pressures and personal whims.

In May last year, the former chairman of the BPSC, Muhammad Ashraf Magsi, was arrested by NAB over allegations of irregularities and illegal appointments.

With the appointment of the new chairman, Justice (r) Kalash Nath Kohli, in April 2016, a new hope was rekindled in the desperate yet talented youth of Balochistan, only to fade again.

On Oct 5, 2016, the BPSC announced 41 posts of assistant commissioner (BPS-17) and 22 posts of section officer (BPS-17) in the services and general administration department.

The examinations were originally scheduled to be held in August 2016.

However, for unexplained reasons, theywere rescheduled for November. The final results were declared in August 2017.

However, the results have given rise to many suspicions of irregularities and violation of merit as candidates who struggle to write five correct, coherent sentences in English have found their place in the final merit list. The commission has now further strengthened misgivings and doubts.

The commission, for example, has flatly refused to issue detailed marks certificates of qualified candidates, even on their own request. The chairman has denied issuance of marks certificates, arguing that doing so will `endanger the security of members of commission`.

One wonders how a mere piece of paper showing one`s performance in various subjects can be a threat to anyone. One cannot help but smell a rat.

The commission needs to be infused with transparency, honesty and efficiency if Balochistan`s talent is to be saved from falling victim to injustice.

Saad Khosa Quetta