Increasing Unemployment in Gilgit-Baltistan:
The Role of Judiciary and Government
Written By : Muhammad Taqi
Gilgit-Baltistan has been grappling with a rising unemployment crisis, exacerbated by a disturbing trend where newly announced government job vacancies are swiftly halted by stay orders. This is largely due to a "stay order mafia" that mobilizes immediately upon job announcements. The judiciary's propensity to grant these stay orders further intensifies the issue. Here are some pertinent examples:
1. A competitive examination in Gilgit-Baltistan last year was stopped by a stay order.
2. Teaching positions in the Education Department, including lecturer and TGT roles, faced similar interruptions.
3. Roles such as Naib Tehsildar, ASI in the GB police, waste management positions, and the recently advertised EST roles have all been stalled due to stay orders.
This issue is particularly severe in Gilgit-Baltistan for several reasons:
1.Departmental Negligence and Flawed Policies: Many departments fill roles through contingent and contract hires without proper testing or interviews, often favoring internal candidates. This practice results in the hiring of unqualified individuals, tarnishing the department’s performance and reputation. For instance, poor results in ninth-grade exams have been attributed to such hires.
2. Judiciary's Role.
The judiciary frequently grants stay orders but fails to expedite case resolutions. For example, cases involving ASI positions have been pending for two years despite the completion of tests and interviews, with no significant hearings.
This situation leads to unfair treatment of new graduates, who are denied opportunities and become increasingly disheartened. Meanwhile, those with connections exploit the system, bypassing competitive processes. The ETC institution also contributes by collecting fees from candidates and then becoming inactive, as evidenced by delayed health department tests.
The prevalence of stay orders and flawed hiring practices contribute to rising unemployment and disenchantment among fresh graduates, while corruption thrives due to the lack of qualified personnel in various departments.
It is crucial for graduates in Gilgit-Baltistan to come together and advocate for their rights, ensuring fair employment practices and fostering a more hopeful future.