Islamabad :- Senate Committee on Delegated Legislation met under the Chairpersonship of Senator Naseema Ehsan to deliberate upon the Central Superior Services (CSS) and General Recruitment Examinations Rules and Regulations, as well as the Rules and Regulations under the National Archives Act, 1993 and the Archival Material (Preservation and Export Control) Act, 1975. The meeting was attended by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt and Senator Rubina Qaim Khani.
The committee was briefed on reforms in the civil servants’ evaluation mechanism and the historical background of recruitment reforms through the CSS competitive examination. Members expressed concern over the lengthy general recruitment process through the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), which currently takes a minimum of two years. The Secretary FPSC informed the committee about initiatives to reduce this duration through the introduction of computer-based testing (CBT), which is under process. He further stated that FPSC has changed the test pattern for general recruitment by introducing two MCQs-based tests instead of subjective papers, and assured that the recruitment process would be finalized within one year in future. The Chairperson directed FPSC to expedite implementation so that recruitment processes may be completed in a shorter time.
The committee also discussed age relaxation and the number of attempts for the CSS examination. It reiterated its earlier recommendations to increase both the upper age limit and the number of attempts. However, the Secretary Establishment and FPSC stated that such changes were not feasible due to service length considerations and potential attitudinal issues arising from the induction of older candidates. The Chairperson emphasized that age relaxation and additional attempts would benefit educated youth from remote areas, particularly Balochistan, where access to education is limited and schooling is often delayed. The Secretary Establishment suggested facilitating youth from underprivileged areas through CSS preparatory courses at the Civil Services Academy (CSA) instead of age relaxation. He also informed the committee about the growing induction of women through CSS. Senator Bushra Anjum Butt and Senator Rubina Qaim Khani raised concerns regarding women-friendly policies to retain the female workforce. The Chairperson directed that such policies be ensured, including posting female officers at stations where their husbands are residing to promote family stability.
On the question of introducing new subjects in the CSS syllabus, FPSC informed the committee that the syllabus is under review and will be refined. The committee unanimously reiterated its recommendations regarding age relaxation and the number of attempts, urging the authorities to reconsider. Regarding mid-career induction of senior officers in the federal bureaucracy, it was informed that entry into the Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) is possible through an induction examination conducted by FPSC, but only for Provincial Management Service (PMS) officers. The Chairperson also highlighted the anomaly in FPSC rules regarding the separate mention of Buddhists from minorities, as well as the use of the term “scheduled castes,” and directed that a detailed briefing be given on the matter in the next meeting. She emphasized the need to revisit outdated laws and rules to align them with contemporary requirements.
The committee was also briefed on the formulation of Rules and Regulations under the National Archives Act, 1993 and the Archival Material (Preservation and Export Control) Act, 1975. Members were presented with the draft National Archives (Research and Reference) Rules, 2025. The committee questioned whether international best practices for the preservation, presentation, and exhibition of national archival documents were being followed. The Chairperson highlighted the lack of coordination between federal and provincial archives departments, particularly regarding the preservation of ancient documents from historical sites such as Mehrgarh, Neri Kalat (Kech), and other locations. She also pointed out the absence of clear provisions for the digitization of archives and directed that the matter be reviewed in detail. The chairperson committee directed the concerned authorities to provide a comprehensive briefing in the next meeting, especially o
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
