THE appointment of an ex-armyman to a senior post in the Police Service of Pakistan speak volumes about the lack of meritocracy in the country. At first, the former colonel was posted to the civilian sector against a higher post and scale by the Punjab government than the one in which he had been serving in the Army. This was a clear violation of the equivalence formula set by the Establishment Division, which states that officials from the Army could be employed in the civil administration in the same scale. But, strangely, only two months later a still higher post was awaiting him. The official now holds a job in BPS 21. This is a typical case of twisting the law to accommodate cronies against lucrative assignments. Not only it gives the lie to the government's claim about not re-employing retired officials, but also serves as a setback to the policy of making job opportunities available to the coming generations. The practice has to end if those entering the job market are to be given their due. As if the induction of an ex-armyman was not enough, the government is considering to appoint the brother of ISPR chief, who was a close aide of Gen (retd) Musharraf, against an important post.