Islamabad, Apr 5, 2025: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has proposed a significant revision to Pakistan’s civil service entrance exams(CSS ), advocating for the inclusion of Urdu as an optional medium in the compulsory subject section.
During a meeting of the Civil Services Reform Committee on Friday, Iqbal pointed out that numerous talented candidates are dismissed merely because they fail the English language test.
He questioned the rationale behind making English a determining factor, emphasizing that if proficiency in English were truly essential for success, Pakistan’s civil service would be among the best globally.
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Iqbal further argued that English has become a form of bias, excluding qualified individuals from the system. By making Urdu an option, he believes it would foster greater inclusion, promote national unity, and elevate the significance of the country’s national language.
The meeting also addressed larger-scale reforms aimed at modernizing the bureaucratic structure.
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Iqbal highlighted that the current civil service framework, which was established in 1973, is obsolete and should be updated to align with contemporary social and institutional needs.
He advocated for a cluster-based approach to integrate professionals from diverse fields, noting the severe shortage of technical expertise in various government sectors.
Additionally, adopting practices from the corporate sector was suggested to enhance the efficiency of public institutions.
