Punjab Assembly session prorogued: MPAs demand separate PSC, quota in government jobs for southern Punjab

Legislators from Saraiki belt on Monday demanded a separate Public Service Commission (PSC) and quota in government jobs for southern Punjab, which they believe would create opportunities for their children and smoothen the working of provincial PSC.
During a general discussion on the reports of Punjab Public Service Commission of the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the Punjab Assembly on Monday, Ahmad Khan Baloch of PML-N and Mohsin Leghari of PML-Q discussed the problems faced by candidates of southern Punjab.
Ahmad Khan Baloch said the existing pattern of provincial competitive exams for government jobs was discriminatory against candidates of southern Punjab. "In the absence of standard education system in his part of the region, their children cannot compete with the children of central Punjab who are educated in quality English medium schools," he added.
"The PSC-designed examination papers are based on the syllabus taught in English medium schools of central Punjab and hence our children are in a disadvantageous position. At present, the number of people of southern Punjab in government jobs is very low," he added.
He averred that this discrepancy needed to be addressed in order to create fairness in the PSC examination system. He suggested that in Punjab there should be uniformity in the education curriculum; a single syllabus should be taught in all schools, which will provide a level playing field to all children of Punjab in the PSC competitive exams. "If that is not possible then the government should allot a quota in government jobs for southern Punjab," he demanded.
He also suggested for building capacity of Punjab Public Service Commission, which at present did not have the ability to fill the required number of government jobs. He observed that under the prevailing circumstances, the government has to rely on ad hoc appointments, which undermines merit.
Mohsin Leghari also put up a case of southern Punjab and suggested for a separate PSC for the region. He welcomed the government's step of expanding PSC examination centres to Multan and Rawalpindi, which will facilitates the candidates of its adjoining areas. "However, a separate PSC for southern Punjab will improve the induction of government employees and it will also create job opportunities for their children," he added.
While referring to the reports, he pointed out that most of the PSC board members are retired police and District Management Group (DMG) officers while there is no representation of PSC officers. Thus, he suggested that in future the government should ensure representation of PSC officers for the recruitment in Punjab, and added they are qualified people to understand the needs of Punjab. "This will improve the selection of good government employees and ultimately improve governance in Punjab, which is in decline," he added.
Later, Mohsin drew the attention of the House to the declining standard of education in Punjab, as was reflected in the reports. He also questioned the independence of PSC. He claimed that its members' extensions were influenced by the Punjab Chief Minister, which can undermine the merit in the selection of government employees. The House also took up question-answer session on forestry, wildlife and fisheries departments, call attention notices, adjournment motions and privilege motions. Later, the Speaker prorogued the House.