Sindh increases age limit for govt job seekers?
In a significant policy shift, the Sindh government has announced the withdrawal of the 15-year age relaxation previously granted to candidates applying for government positions. Effective January 1, 2025, the age limit for applicants will revert to the standard 18 to 28 years, aligning with the original recruitment guidelines.
Nation
This decision marks a departure from the policy initiated in 2018, which allowed a relaxation of up to 15 years in the upper age limit for government job applicants. The relaxation was introduced to address the challenges faced by individuals who had surpassed the standard age limit due to prolonged periods without recruitment. However, concerns regarding the sustainability and fairness of such extensive age relaxations have prompted a reevaluation of the policy.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan played a pivotal role in this policy reversal. In a judgment authored by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the court struck down the Sindh government’s decision to allow a 15-year age relaxation, upholding the Sindh High Court’s earlier order. The judgment emphasized that the maximum age relaxation permissible under the Appointment, Promotion, and Transfer (APT) Rules was 10 years, and extending it to 15 years was deemed “highly unjustified and excessive.”
The court highlighted several concerns associated with the extended age relaxation. One significant issue was the financial burden on the government. For instance, an individual joining service at 45 years of age would retire at 60, having served only 15 years. Despite the shorter service duration, such an individual would be entitled to substantial pensionary benefits, similar to those who served for 25 to 30 years. This disparity was considered discriminatory and posed a considerable strain on the government’s financial resources.
Furthermore, the judgment underscored the importance of merit and transparency in the recruitment process. It cautioned against the potential misuse of discretionary powers in granting age relaxations, which could lead to favoritism and undermine the integrity of the civil service. The court asserted that appointments should be based on objective criteria, free from extraneous considerations, to ensure that only competent individuals serve in government positions.
In response to the Supreme Court’s directives and the inherent challenges of the previous policy, the Sindh government has decided to abolish the 15-year age relaxation. This move aims to standardize the recruitment process, promote meritocracy, and alleviate the financial implications associated with late-entry retirements. The decision is expected to have significant implications for job seekers in the province, particularly those who benefited from the extended age relaxation. Prospective applicants are advised to review the new eligibility criteria carefully to ensure compliance with the updated age requirements.
This policy shift reflects the government’s commitment to upholding the principles of fairness, transparency, and fiscal responsibility in public sector employment. By aligning the age criteria with the original guidelines, the Sindh government seeks to foster a more equitable and efficient recruitment process, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to a broader segment of the population while maintaining the integrity of the civil service.