Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot is a masterpiece of renowned playwright Samuel Backet which deals with the theme of nothingness of life. The absurdity of life and passing of days and nights resulting in nothingness is the central idea which has come to fore after going through the recent notification of Federal Public Service Commission regarding revised rules for Section Officers Promotional Exam 2015.

Joining Civil Services in Pakistan has always been a dream of thousands of graduates completing their degrees each year. After testing their destinies in the CSS exam, they somehow manage to secure posts in any other government organisation in lower scales preferring it over joining private sector. Despite meager financial benefits, the only charm in joining public sector organisations in lower grades is the hope of rising to the higher echelon one day through promotional exams i.e., Section Officers Promotional Exam.

Since long, the eligibility criterion for the SOPE has been continuous eight years of service in Grade-11 to Grade-16 in Federal Secretariat and same has been retained in the revised rules of SOPE 2015. Although the syllabus, age limit, qualification etc has been revised and optional subjects have also been introduced on the pattern of CSS for the first time yet retaining of “Length of Service” to the previous level sounds quite “illogical”.

A couple of months earlier, the Establishment Division, vide its notification, had recommended various amendments in the SOPE including that the required “Length of Service” may be amended and federal government employees of eight specified departments who have eight years of continuous service in Grade-07 to Grade-16 may be allowed to apply for the Section Officers Promotional Exam but reportedly the Prime Minister Office has turned down the said recommendation while accepting all other recommendations.

The point to remember here is that owing to the fall of private sector to historic low, rise in literacy rate and unemployment, bulk of passing out of degree holders each year, cultural/societal factors to join civil service, etc are compelling reasons for educated youth to join government service in lower grades for livelihood, saving oneself from bar of age limit, etc. Countless stories are reported by the media on daily basis regarding applications of Master’s degree holders for the job of peons, etc.

By retaining the earlier criteria of “Length of Service” is it not a sheer injustice with those who are left with no other option but to wait for Godot who might never come throughout their service or at such stage of their service when they either might not be interested or they might not be able to regain their lost glory in endless waiting.

The authorities concerned are humbly requested to revisit the SOPE Rules 2015 and either abolish or at least minimise the required “Length of Service” i.e., eight years of continuous service in Grade-11 to Grade-16 or uphold recommendations of the Establishment Division by fixing it from Grade 7-16. It will surely be a relief for many individuals and families. Will anybody listen?

RASHID SALEEM BHATTI

Lahore

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When the going gets tough, the tougher gets going