LAHORE: In a decisive step towards promoting diversity in public administration, the Civil Services Academy (CSA) in Walton, Lahore, has successfully concluded the second cohort of the National Outreach Programme for Minorities (NOM) — a landmark initiative aimed at preparing youth from minority communities for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination.
The one-month residential training equipped 42 participants from all four provinces with the academic grounding, analytical skills, and strategic preparation necessary to compete in Pakistan’s most demanding civil service examination. The batch included 21 Christian, 19 Hindu, and 2 Muslim aspirants, reflecting the Academy’s commitment to inclusion and national representation.
According to official data, of the 121 CSS posts reserved for minorities, only 14 have been filled so far — a disparity the federal and provincial governments are seeking to correct through targeted interventions such as the NOM initiative and the recently announced Special CSS Exam. The new measures include age relaxation up to 35 years, four attempts, and extended eligibility for candidates from Balochistan, the merged districts, and other marginalized areas.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr Syed Shabbir Akbar Zaidi, Director of Capacity Building at CSA, emphasized the transformative nature of the initiative. “This programme is an investment in the very fabric of our nation’s diversity and inclusion,” he said. “Beyond exam preparation, it empowers aspirants with the confidence, perspective, and purpose to serve Pakistan with pride and equity.”
Mr Farid Ahmad Tarar, Secretary of the Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department, Punjab, who served as chief guest, hailed the outreach effort as “a milestone on our journey towards a more inclusive and representative governance structure.” He praised the CSA’s sustained efforts to provide minority candidates with an equitable platform to compete on merit.
The Director General of CSA, Mr Farhan Aziz, reaffirmed the Academy’s long-term vision of national capacity building.“Our goal is to expand outreach so that every talented Pakistani — regardless of community or background — has the opportunity to serve at the highest levels of the state,” he remarked.Participants described the programme as a defining moment in their professional journeys.“The NOM programme has given me unparalleled clarity and a focused roadmap for my CSS preparation,” said Sumeet Kumar, one of the trainees. Another participant, Nirmal, added, “The training
refined my discipline, broadened my outlook, and strengthened my resolve to contribute to Pakistan through public service.”
The ceremony drew a distinguished audience of officials, academics, and civil society representatives, including Prof Dr Jonathan S. Addleton, Vice Chancellor of FC College University Lahore; Mr Khalid Mehmood, former Director General of CSA; and Ms Salomi Sharmoon from the Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Their presence underscored a shared national commitment to promoting equity, opportunity, and social cohesion through education and institutional support.
With the successful completion of its second cohort, the Civil Services Academy’s National Outreach Programme for Minorities continues to symbolize Pakistan’s evolving vision of governance — one that values competence, inclusion, and equal opportunity as pillars of national progress.