Minister proposes Urdu for CSS exam

Says English discriminates against common citizens

ISLAMABAD:

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.