How to get Justice in a Culture of Injustice?

How to get Justice in a Culture of Injustice?

(Written by : Abdul Basit Alvi)

Unfortunately, even after seven decades of independence, we are still failed to provide an atmosphere of justice, equity and supremacy of merit to all. People with strong references easily get jobs while others remain unemployed. Strong Mafias exist in all organizations & departments and they bring their own people or people through strong references in case of any new hiring.

Unemployment is a big issue and its pain is felt only by an unemployed person. Others will give you suggestions and advises but practically it’s very difficult to get a job in Pakistan through fair means.  It’s very difficult to feed your family and survive without a job. Everyone don’t have money , resources and skills to start his own business.

Corruption, bad practices and favoritism exists in our recruitment process and it’s very rare to get a job on merit and unfortunately these things are not considered wrong in our country. I had lot of bitter experiences during my job searching. I decided to write and share theses experiences for awareness and possibility of any positive action and to avoid the injustice even with a single person. Lets me start my fresh experience with you;

I done my MBA from Coventry University UK and BE from UET Lahore. I got more than 19 years experience of working in Logistics, Procurement, Admin, Supply Chain and Engineering. I have worked in many organizations in Pakistan, KSA and UK. Unfortunately, I am jobless since many months. I am trying and applying everywhere. I have forwarded my CV to all most all departments and organizations of Pakistan. I have given several interviews during this period. I would have get a job on merit but unfortunately I don’t have strong references and links which is a key for getting a job in Pakistan.

My recent experiences is about World Bank’s funded DCRIP Project of Planning and Development Department of AJK.I seen an advertisement about the job of Procurement expert  in this project last year. As I got huge experience in this field and my skills were completely matching with the job description so I applied for the position. Many months gone and I heard nothing from them so I called them. They told me that interviews have been done and I was not shortlisted. I wrote complaints emails to PnD AJK, Government officials and all relevant channels and told them about this injustice. Because of my emails and prompt action, I got a call from them that I was fit for to be shortlisted but I was not shortlisted as I did not attached one marks skeet with my documents. I told them that’s it’s not fair and the required documents could have been provided on interview. Anyway it’s a long story and at the end I succeeded to get a call letter for the interview. I was interviewed by a panel of three officials. Another candidate was also called for interview. He was an old person and seems to be a retired person. Later on, , upon my investigation,  I came to know that he was  an ex bureaucrat  and ex colleague of the panel members. He didn’t apply within the last date and was called by head of panel to attend the interview with 100 % job guarantee. I was called just for formality and to cover somehow my email complaints. I am surprised to see how a privileged one( and taking huge pension and benefits) is being preferred on a skilled and experienced unemployed person just because of strong reference and favoritism. His previous job under the tile and domain of procurement is yet to be checked.

I have launched complaints to PnD ,PM AJK cell, Mohtasib and all relevant channels. I forwarded following email to these offices;

Dear Sir

I have come to know to the conclusion of this recruitment. To my surprise but not unusual,i am not selected. I want to bring some already known facts into your consideration,

A retired Officer/Ex-colleague was preferred over a foreign qualified ,well experienced and unemployed person. It clearly shows how personal relationships were favored out of merit and moral ethics. I am astonished to see that already privileged(taking huge pension and other fringe benefits) one is getting more while unemployed,qualified,experienced and talented youth is without jobs. Along with this ,i have few clear indications that he was brought in either without submitting documents within due date or submitting later but mentioning within due date.He was brought in with clear and pre planned decision to be hired while i was called just for formality. My CV and certificates clearly shows that i have worked under the title and domain of the procurement(manager/officer) and my qualifications & skills fully comply with the requirements and job description of the position.

My interview was very well although i dont believe that only an interview is a right tool for selection as it is used just for promoting favoritism. Easy questions and gossips from favorite one while subjective question for others could never provide equal opportunities to all. Favoritism is not new in our country and the result is high rate of corruption which has been seen and caught in that office as well.

I strongly recommend and suggest not to advertise and go for the pre planned ones without wasting time and giving mental torture to others.

Such practices are making our beloved country a hell instead of heaven to live and survive . Talented unemployed ones are forcefully compelled to commit suicide by such injustice. Quite interestingly, we have the reasons and justifications behind our actions and we never go for rectification. It is our major problem not to admit our mistakes and cover them with arguments.

I will take the issue to World Bank,Courts of Law,Mohtasib,Media,Government and all relevant channels as well and will seek for justice.Meanwhile i request you to reconsider the issue and resolve the issue with the eyes of justice and equality.

Thanks

I have forwarded them this email with 0 % hope as I fully believe that these things are quite normal in our society and are not taken as a serious offense of laws and procedures. We are quite unfortunate that we don’t have proper process of complaint and grievance about our recruitment system.  I and thousands like mine are waiting for having a transparent and justice based recruitment system in our country.

For me the to get the answer of my question “How to get justice in a culture if Injustice” is a big challenge and I don’t expect to get its answer in near future.

Transparency and supremacy of merit is a need of time for avoiding frustration and hatred.

Hope and pray that someone will see in such issues as well and make some practical solutions of these issues.