Era of influencing PSC recruitment over: Ismail Zabihullah

Prime Minister's Public Administration Adviser Md Ismail Zabihullah today (13 April) said the practice of influencing recruitment at the Public Service Commission (PSC) through "recommendation slips" is over, assuring full independence of the constitutional body.

"Merit and integrity will be the only criteria for recruitment," he made the remarks at the launch of the report titled "Renewing Governance from Gridlock: BPSC Reform Report", organised by the Bangladesh Public Service Commission at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

Addressing PSC officials, Zabihullah said, "You are autonomous, you are free and independent. In the past, directives were sent through slips asking to recruit specific individuals, while others would be government-backed candidates. That era is over. There will be no interference from our side."

He emphasised that civil service recruitment is not merely about selecting candidates, but about choosing the future custodians of the nation.

"The government is committed to restoring public confidence in the PSC," he said.

Highlighting the need for fairness, the adviser said there would be no discrimination between candidates from rural areas and those from urban centres.

Referring to the BNP's 2026 election manifesto, Zabihullah said the target of recruiting 5 lakh government employees would be implemented with full transparency

He also assured that the PSC would be given the necessary financial and administrative autonomy to transform it into a modern, technology-driven and professional institution.

The adviser further said the government aims to build a discrimination-free society and a corruption-free state, adding that a merit-based bureaucracy is essential to ensure accountability and economic stability.