'We do not accept this': Students protest CSS results in Multan

Results were announced on October 5

MULTAN: Students in South Punjab led a demonstration to protest unfair marking in Central Superior Services [CSS] examination by the Federal Public Service Commission [FPSC] on Wednesday.

Hailing from various sub-districts including Khanewal, Vehari, Multan, Layyah and Bahawalnagar, the students demanded rechecking of exam papers while shouting slogans against the government for tolerating corrupt practices in the education system.

Held in February this year, results for the CSS were announced on October 5 while the detailed mark sheets of failed candidates were uploaded on the FPSC website on Monday.



The candidates further complained that despite having cleared exams for other government jobs including competitive exam of Provincial Management System [PMS], they were back to square one due to the CSS result.

Tuba Hamid, who attempted the CSS exams this year, insisted she attempted the paper well but was only awarded 48 marks out of 1200. Another candidate, Zarmeena Iqbal alleged that the results were forged. “We do not accept this,” she told The Express Tribune.  Zarmeena claimed her record proved she had passed PMS earlier but was not allocated due to lack of seats. “How can a person who has cleared PMS and other tests fail by four subjects this time?” she asked.



Other students said they were victims of irregularities in the marking procedure, urging the anti-corruption department in Lahore to take legal action. Javeria Waseem, a candidate, claimed to know many who “passed after paying bribe.”

Hira Fatima, another student, said when they called the FPSC helpline to inquire about rechecking of exam papers, they were directed to the regional office in Multan – the helpline of which is temporarily suspended. The Multan office staff declined to comment over the issue.

The students were joined by parents and civil society members in the protest who also expressed disappointment on the results and checking methods.