Latest news with #CentralSuperiorServices
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CSS top scorer says denied group of his choice
Mir Musawwar Ali Mithani, a young candidate from Larkana who topped the nationwide Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination 2023, has reportedly been denied his preferred group allocation despite his exceptional performance. In a letter addressed to President Asif Ali Zardari seeking justice, Mithani stated that despite securing the highest position, he was assigned to Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service instead of his first-choice group. He said that topping the exam while representing Larkana district and Sindh the homeland of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was a matter of immense pride for him. Mithani has appealed for fair treatment, urging authorities to rectify what he perceives as an unjust allocation. Per rule, the high-scorers are allowed to choose the group they want to join, the rest of the successful candidates are assigned groups like Foreign Affairs, Administrative Services, Police, Customs, Accounts and Audit, Railways, and such by the Federal Public Service Commission. Per available data, in 2023, the regular CSS exam in Pakistan saw 28,024 applications. However, only 13,008 candidates actually took the written exam. Out of these, a mere 401 passed, and ultimately, 210 were recommended for positions, resulting in a 2.96% success rate for those who appeared in the written stage. Additionally, a Special CSS Examination was held in the same year. This exam received 21,947 applications, with 15,245 candidates participating in the written portion. Following this stage, 519 candidates passed, and after all assessments, 141 were declared successful, yielding an overall success rate of 3.20% .
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
NA approves extension of CSS age limit, exam attempts from 2026
Listen to article The National Assembly on Friday passed a resolution to increase the maximum age limit for candidates appearing in the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination from 30 to 35 years, with the new policy set to take effect from 2026, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported. The move, introduced by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML‑N) MNA Syeda Nosheen Iftikhar, was brought before the House after a successful motion to suspend procedural rules. The resolution was passed without opposition, reflecting broad parliamentary support. Alongside the age limit increase, the resolution also allows candidates a total of five attempts at the CSS exam. Lawmakers urged the government to implement these changes without delay to give prospective applicants sufficient time to prepare under the revised criteria. The CSS exam serves as a key gateway to Pakistan's elite federal services, including positions in administration, foreign affairs, customs, and other civil sectors. It has traditionally attracted fresh university graduates and young professionals, with strict eligibility criteria in terms of age and number of attempts. By raising the age cap and allowing an additional attempt, the new measures aim to broaden access and provide greater flexibility for aspirants who may need more time to prepare or who enter the workforce later.
India.com
29-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Freed from Pakistan's Shackles: India's Time to Bring Gilgit-Baltistan Home
Freed from Pakistan's Shackles: India's Time to Bring Gilgit-Baltistan Home Even though Gilgit-Baltistan is a beautiful tourist destination, its serious internal problems are often hidden behind the scenic views. Sadly, every government has ignored the real needs of this region. Instead, Gilgit-Baltistan has mostly been used as a buffer zone, a strategic location, a vote bank for the Kashmir dispute, and a military base because of security concerns. Many people feel that Pakistan values the land of Gilgit-Baltistan more than its people—treating the land as an asset and the people as a burden. It's difficult to cover all the issues in just one article, but a few major problems do need immediate attention. Firstly, education in Gilgit-Baltistan has been largely ignored. Some might say the region has a good literacy rate, but that is only partly true. While literacy levels have improved, it mainly happened because of the efforts of NGOs and private schools. The government has played almost no role in this progress. More importantly, it is a sad fact that Gilgit-Baltistan does not have a medical college, an engineering university, or any top-quality higher education institution. This is especially worrying because today's world is a 'knowledge-based society,' where having knowledge means having power. However, the government is not doing enough to fix this problem. Students are forced to travel to distant places to get higher education, which is expensive and difficult—especially for girls and students from poor families. Because of these challenges, many talented students are unable to continue their studies. Secondly, another big problem is finding a good and respectable job after completing education. Even though students work hard during their studies, they often do not get jobs that match their talent and Efforts. For example, the current government recently cut the federal job quota (jobs in national-level government departments) for Gilgit-Baltistan from 4% to just 1% (including women and minorities). This tiny 1% quota in the Federal Public Service and Central Superior Services is not enough and has shut the doors for many young people who have been waiting for opportunities. Also, government jobs in Gilgit-Baltistan are often given based on sect, ethnicity, or political connections, instead of merit. This has completely destroyed fair hiring in the region. On top of that, there are no big companies, factories, or private businesses to create jobs, and the agriculture sector is almost non-existent. As a result, many people are stuck in underemployment or have no jobs at all. This is likely to increase poverty and widen the gap between rich and poor. As Marcus Aurelius (a Roman emperor and philosopher) said, 'poverty is the mother of all evils.' Without enough jobs, social problems and class conflicts will grow, making the situation even worse. Thirdly, there is a major problem with electricity in the region. Power cuts are very common. For example, in Gilgit City, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, there is no electricity for about 12 hours every day. People usually get electricity for two hours, followed by two hours of power cut, and this cycle continues throughout the day. However, the situation is even worse in the more remote areas, where people sometimes have to go without electricity for days or even weeks if a technical problem occurs. It is surprising to know that Gilgit-Baltistan has the potential to generate 40,000 MW of power. Sadly, the repeated negligence of different governments has made things worse. Even though we are living in the 21st century, where most tasks are carried out electronically, the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are forced to live like they are still in the stone age, far removed from the modern, connected world. Gilgit-Baltistan, covering 72,496 square kilometers, was once part of Jammu and Kashmir until India lost control of it in 1947. After Maharaja Hari Singh decided to join India, a British officer named Major William Brown led a rebellion with the Gilgit Scouts. They arrested the governor and handed the region over to Pakistan on November 1, 1947. Major William Brown was a British officer who commanded the Gilgit Scouts, a local force. He believed that since most people in Gilgit were Muslims, the region should join Pakistan, not India. On October 31, 1947, he planned a quick coup, arrested the Maharaja's governor, Ghansara Singh, and declared Gilgit's accession to Pakistan. His actions helped Pakistan take control, but India sees this as an illegal act that took away part of Jammu and Kashmir. Skardu, an important town and the main gateway to the high mountains of the Karakoram range, also fell later into Pakistan's hands. Pakistan then tightened its hold on the region, while India, due to military and political mistakes, could not regain control. Today, Skardu hosts a military airbase used by Pakistan, underscoring its strategic significance. Today, Gilgit-Baltistan remains neglected. Its 1.7 million people still lack basic rights, opportunities, and essential services. Although its beautiful landscapes attract many tourists, the hardships faced by locals are ignored. Since its self-declared independence in 1948, Pakistan has kept the region sidelined, leaving its people feeling abandoned. Now is the right time for India to take action and reclaim this important region. Its closeness to China, Afghanistan, and the Karakoram Highway makes it vital for India's security. If ignored, non-state groups or enemy countries could take advantage of the unrest, putting India's unity and safety at risk. India must work towards developing and properly integrating Gilgit-Baltistan before it is too late. Quick note: Skardu is important because it is not just any town — it is the administrative center of Baltistan and close to key mountain passes and strategic locations.
Business Recorder
28-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Chaudhary Sikander Hayat a towering figure in journalism
ISLAMABAD: Chaudhary Sikander Hayat, a towering figure in Pakistani journalism and a former deputy editor at daily Business Recorder, passed away on Monday at the age of 87 after a long battle with illness. A man of intellect, grit, and grace, Hayat began his distinguished career through Pakistan's elite Central Superior Services (CSS), where he served in the prestigious Information Group. Over the years, he held key positions both at home and abroad, before walking away from government service to chase his lifelong passion: journalism. And what a mark he left: whether dissecting domestic politics or decoding global headlines, Hayat was widely regarded as an authority on both Pakistan's turbulent political history and the shifting sands of international affairs. After stepping away from his civil service career, Hayat brought his sharp intellect and eloquent voice to several leading English-language newspapers in Pakistan. But it was at Business Recorder – his final newsroom home – where he truly left his mark. Colleagues remember him not just as a seasoned editor, but as a mentor, a historian, and a gentleman of the old school. He retired just a few years ago, reluctantly, as age began to slow what his mind never could. His funeral prayer was offered at the H-11 Graveyard in Islamabad, where a large and sombre crowd – including people from the media, civil service, civil society and people from all walks of life – gathered to pay their final respects to him. He is survived by his sons, Mohsin and Ahson, and daughter, Savera– each carrying forward a legacy of strength, service, and quiet brilliance. May his soul rest in eternal peace! Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Minister proposes Urdu for CSS exam
Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasised on Friday that the practice of using English as a compulsory subject for entry into the civil service should be reexamined, as many talented students are rejected due to failing the English language paper. The minister was chairing a Civil Services Reform Committee meeting to discuss a comprehensive restructuring plan aimed at transforming Pakistan's bureaucracy to address contemporary challenges. He said that if English were the defining criterion, Pakistan's civil service should be the best-performing in the world. "We have used English as a language of discrimination against the common citizen and the majority of the population." He proposed that Urdu should also be offered as a choice for the compulsory subject in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam. "This will promote inclusivity, national unity, and elevate Urdu as the national language." The minister also highlighted the need to rethink civil service model established in 1973, citing significant changes in the environment and societal realities. According to a press release issued by the planning division, during the discussions, the committee endorsed the introduction of a cluster-based system for restructuring, emphasizing the importance of addressing the challenges of inducting professionals in the public sector. Iqbal noted that the skill sets of many public sector officials were often misaligned with the demands of their roles in light of changing times. He stressed the need to adopt best practices from the corporate sector to bridge this gap and enhance efficiency within government institutions. The minister pointed out the severe shortage of technical professionals across various ministries, underscoring the critical need to address this deficit to ensure that public sector organizations are equipped with the necessary expertise.
