ACCORDING to the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Pakistan is the 140th least corruptnation on alist of180 countries.This alarming statistic underscores the seriousness of the issue, reaching from low-level staff to higher-level officials, enveloping nearly every facet of society.

Many families in the country grapple with poverty, and parents, in their pursuit to secure a brighter future for their children, sacrifice everything to provide them with education.

The prevailing belief is that education will empower their children to overcome financial challenges through hard work and merit.

However, the reality of entry tests and competitive job placements presents a grim picture, highlighting a perpetual struggle for merit and transparency. The recent Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT), conducted again owing to charges of leaked question papers, exemplifies the erosion of fairness.

Rumours continue to circulate on social media, suggesting the leakage of answer keys was reserved for those belonging to the privileged class.

This pattern of corruption extends beyond entry tests to the domain of competitive job placements in institutions like the Sindh Public Service Commission (SPSC).

Reports of political influence, nepotism and corruption compromising the dreams of deserving candidates are dishearteningly common. Even qualified candidates, who excel with scores as high as 70-80 marks, face rejection in interviews, while those with political affiliations and lower scores end up securing positions.

The monetary value attached to certain jobs, reaching up to millions, underscores the gravity of the situation.

The painful reality is that political influence and corruption have marred the dreams of countless meritorious candidatesfor decades, castinga dark shadow over the principles of transparency and merit.

Amidst this turmoil, it is disheartening to witness the increasing frequency of suicidal events and increasing chaos throughout the country. Instead of conducting expensive surveys and research on these events, the government should consider prioritising stringent actions against corruption, a malignant force that undermines merit, and addslayersto allthe existing societal evils.

By taking such steps, not only will the principles of merit and transparency prevail, but the economic conditions of Pakistan will also witness substantial improvement.

The government`s commitment to the eradication ofcorruption and the restoration of meritocracy in our educational and employment systems will undoubtedly shape a more equitable and prosperous future for the country.

Ali Gul Leghari Johi