IHC seeks criterion for induction of Army officers in CSS

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday issued notice to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) directing him to assist the court in a matter that how commissioned Army officers get into the Central Superior Services (CSS) and on what criterion.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui was hearing a petition of Muhammad Shahid Amin, an Assistant in BPS-11, who has challenged discrimination against him for appearing in the CSS exam on one-third CSS seats that are filled through lower cadre government employees after exam and interviews. The petitioner is an employee of a sensitive institution and he was not allowed to take part in the exam.

Justice Siddiqui directed the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) chairman to furnish a report answering the following questions. On what basis serving Army, Air Force and Naval officers are inducted into the civil service? Whether some quota is fixed for the armed forces officers and if the answer is yes, whether they compete with other candidates participating? Whether on selection in the CSS, their status as retired officers, does entitle them to receive pension benefits for the service already rendered by them? What is the criterion for the release of a cadet from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, and others, when a cadet opts to leave during course? How much amount is received from a cadet before he is allowed to leave? How much cost is incurred by the state in producing a Major or a Captain, and whether this cost is received from them on opting to leave and join civil service? The bench adjourned the hearing till May 14.