Desperate Wait: Gilgit-Baltistan Youth Struggle with Delayed Exams

Educated youth in Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan face a crisis as competitive exams for crucial government jobs are postponed, leaving many candidates unable to apply due to age restrictions. The PoGB Forum demands equal age limits across provinces and regular exam scheduling to prevent career setbacks.

In the region of Pakistan-Occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, educated young individuals are grappling with an escalating crisis over delayed competitive exams, crucial for securing government employment, as reported by the Markhor Times. While other Pakistani provinces hold these exams annually, PoGB has managed to conduct them only once every three to four years, a delay that leaves many candidates exceeding the age limit despite years of focused preparation.

The year 2023 witnessed an ongoing struggle when the provincial government's plea to the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) for job postings saw no advertisement, impacting hundreds of aspiring candidates. Other regions have higher age limits, such as 43 years in Balochistan and recent extensions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, whereas PoGB retains a maximum of 38 years. This disparity is a substantial hurdle for local youths, sparking concerns from the PoGB Forum about the provincial government's selective age limit increase, which benefits only Grade 1 to 15 vacancies, leaving those aiming for Grade 16 and 17 positions disadvantaged.

The PoGB Forum has vociferously raised demands, advocating for the age limit for competitive exams to be extended to 40 years, at least temporarily, to afford equal opportunities to all candidates. They urge the abolition of the age discrepancy across different grade levels and stress for an annual exam schedule to prevent further impediments to candidates' careers. Resolving these issues, they argue, will empower individuals and bolster the region's development by facilitating the entry of educated youths into public service roles.

(With inputs from agencies.)