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If there’s one field of work every child of Pakistan wants to be a part of, it is the Armed Forces of Pakistan. The most decorated, prestigious and loved institution of the country. Ranked as one of the strongest forces of the world, the Pakistan Army is a power in itself.
As combined as the forces of Pakistan are, for a civilian to become a part of them, is a cumbersome and difficult process. From the initial computer-based exam to the final ISSB training and the interviews, almost 85% of all applicants fail to pass the test and only a few lucky ones get to serve their country, wearing the green and khaki.
These difficult tests and interviews are scheduled to separate the best from the rest, only allocating the creme da la creme (finest) of the lot, who then move on to the PMA (Pakistan Military Academy) – joining long and short courses, ready to serve their country.
For students to prepare for these tests, there are many academics and focused sessions that offer help. However, the most advantage taken out of the process is by independent publishers. These are publishing groups that create their own versions of ‘guides’ and ‘textbooks’ that would help aspirants clear their ISSB test.
A page from an ISSB guide book apprently. Sexual emotions with sister? what kind of questions they may ask… WTF! pic.twitter.com/l7LyWKCuGX
— Ronald Massey (@ronaldalfred6) November 19, 2018
As temperamental and difficult the process is, these independent publishers stereotype in their content and present theories of their own, which don’t always go well the process. Recently, a picture of an independent publisher’s textbook for ISSB has gone viral on the internet.
In the picture, the textbook’s page shows interview questions that might be asked in the ISSB. In no way are these books endorsed by the Army or any other State institution. The page had some questionable questions, that have not gone too well with the public once they came under scrutiny.
In the first question, the independent author asks students, “Suppose you and your friends are sitting in the drawing room and your sister who is bare or naked (without clothes of any kind) suddenly enters the drawing room, where you and your friends are already sitting. What will you do at that time?” – The answer to this given in the book: “I will go towards my sister and take her in my hands, as she is only six months old!”
As witty the answer to the question is, people have been debating that there is no way that such questions would be asked in an ISSB interview. The extent of discussing an aspirant’s family in such regards is not something that would happen in an interview conducted in the army, giving it a bad name.
Another question, supposedly from the interviewer in the ISSB test, says: “May I sleep with your sister in one blanket?” – The answer says: “Yes you may, after all, you are like her father.” People on social media, again, have challenged the moral clarity of that question, with some getting profusely angry at the author.
Textbooks like these, published by independent authors to milk money in the name of ISSB, need to be kept in check. Concerned authorities should look into the curriculum being distributed in the name of the Army, which is misguiding students and challenging the institution we love the most.
