The Senate has adopted a resolution allowing candidates to take the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams in Urdu as well.
Jamat-e-Islami Chief Maulana Siraj-ul-Haq tabled this resolution in the Upper House on Monday which was unanimously passed. On the occasion, Siraj-ul-Haq said, many developed countries including Japan and China promote their own language over English, and Pakistan should also follow the lead.
He maintained that only five percent of candidates could pass compulsory subjects because of non-proficiency in English.
The idea was supported by the State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Muhammad Khan, who said that the candidates should be allowed to take CSS Exams in a language of their choice.
He mentioned that there were six compulsory and 45 optional subjects in the CSS exam. However, all compulsory subjects were taught in English at universities.
Subsequently, the Senate passed the resolution to add Urdu as an optional language for CSS exams alongside English.
Note that the Lahore High Court in 2017 (building on the Supreme Court in 2015’s verdict) had also passed a similar judgment, ordering the FPSC to conduct CSS examinations in Urdu from 2018.
However, no breakthrough was made due to political instability in the country. Whether this would be implemented for next year’s examination, it is yet to be seen.
The news received a mixed response on social media. While some people called it a ‘game changer’ for many candidates and a way to promote Urdu as a national language, others believed it was a wasted effort.
Here’s how people reacted to the development: