CSA set to promote equitable representation in civil services

LAHORE: In what is being hailed as a ground-breaking step toward inclusive governance, the Pakistan Civil Services Academy (CSA) Lahore is on the verge of launching a landmark initiative aimed at promoting diversity and equitable representation in the civil services.

This forward-looking program is designed to support the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam preparation for candidates from underrepresented communities, including religious minorities, women, and aspirants from historically marginalized regions such as Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

The initiative was conceived in response to concerning findings in the CSS 2023 examination results, where a significant number of reserved seats — out of 121 allocated for minority and disadvantaged groups —remained vacant.

In recognition of these systemic gaps, the CSA Lahore has initiated consultations with major stakeholders, including the Establishment Division, provincial chief secretaries, civil society organizations, and education experts, to design an inclusive and impactful support framework.

The proposed program, expected to be officially announced in the coming months and rolled out by 2026, envisions the launch of two to three specially designed preparatory batches each year.

These sessions will be conducted during CSA’s lean training periods and will accommodate 40 to 50 promising candidates per batch.