Author: Staff desk

Luck Catapults a Pakistani in Dubai Into the Billionaire Club

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ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani expatriate this week won the whopping grand prize of AED 15 million (Rs 1.14 billion) at the “Big Ticket” raffle draw, one of the most prominent ones in the Middle East, saying he would use a part of the money to support others less fortunate than him.

Shaukat Aftab, a 64-year-old Pakistani businessman, was announced as Big Ticket’s grand prize winner of AED 15 million [$4.083 million] during the live draw of the raffle draw on September 3.

“When I got the winning call, I was confused at the beginning because I am currently traveling,” Aftab told Big Ticket. “But I am very happy, and I want to thank Big Ticket for the best opportunity. I encourage everyone to try their luck.”

Aftab said he first heard about Big Ticket 15 years ago and has continued purchasing tickets ever since, sometimes buying two at a time.

While Aftab said he previously participated alongside a group of friends, the winning ticket was purchased by him alone.

Aftab plans to take a thoughtful approach with his winnings, saying that he aims to invest and save the money while also supporting people in need.

“For him, the win is not only an exciting personal moment, but also an opportunity to help others,” Big Ticket said in a press release.

But despite winning, Aftab has no plans to stop participating in the raffle draw. The Pakistani expat said he will keep trying his luck and encouraged others to participate as well.

Big Ticket said it will next offer a grand prize of AED 20 million during a live draw on October 3, with one winner set to take home the prize.

Kaghan Valley Turns Wintry, Babusar Recieves Snowfall

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KAGHAN: Winter arrived early in the Kaghan Valley on Saturday as Babusar Top received its first snowfall of the season, accompanied by rain and snow in several other mountainous areas.

The sudden change in weather came as a welcome relief for residents of parts of Hazara Division, where temperatures had remained unusually high for almost two weeks. The mercury dropped noticeably across the valley, prompting people to take out their warm clothes, including sweaters and shawls.

Tourists traveling on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road towards Gilgit-Baltistan were able to witness the snowfall at Babusar Top. Local residents expressed surprise at the early arrival of winter, saying that similar snowfall has increasingly been occurring in November in recent years.

Despite the snowfall and rain, the local administration reported that the roads linking Balakot, Mansehra, Naran and Jalkhad are still open to traffic.

Heavy rain was also reported in Mansehra, Torghar, Kolai-Palas, Upper Kohistan and Lower Kohistan. In one area, traffic remained disrupted for several hours after an electricity transmission pole was uprooted and fell across the road. .. CN report, 06 Sep 2026

An Unsolicited Warning to Pakistan’s Current Strongman

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.. by Javed Khan

Pakistan is again at the ever occurring crossroads, the first one was at independence, then as a dominion , then the Republic crossing followed by a military checkpoint and further Islamic Republic when the mullahs tasted power, another military checkpoint which introduced the jehadi element.

All this collected baggage was then lifted by unadulterated and blatant corruption under two families who took turns at it for a decade, then another military sortie which ended when the incumbent general chickened out to the legal fraternity as they took up arms and the two families were back in the saddle looting what little was remaining in the kitty , then the brief interlude of a crossroads under our Kaptan again abetted by a general who as usual was encouraged by our American masters, at this crossroad again we took the wrong turn bringing us up short to our current crossroad.

I have been a close witness and a keen observer so I ask forgiveness for unsolicited advice to our current strongman FM that please don’t chicken out like your predecessors, your work is cut out. The incumbent system which you created is not working for the simple reason that all you have installed are self serving, they couldn’t care less if Pakistan survives or not , they will happily carve up personal fiefdoms as Punjab and Sind are currently so return power to the people at their grassroots, village , tehsil , zila but ensure that this is done transparently. Our people are talented, resilient and good at heart but they have suffered terribly at the hands of those controlling their destiny. .. 06 Sep 2026

Purchasing Power Falls to New Low in Chitral

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CHITRAL: The purchasing power of people in Chitral has fallen to one of its lowest levels in many years, as rising fuel prices continue to push up the cost of everyday goods and services.

Prices of food and other essential commodities have increased sharply, with high transportation costs often cited as the main reason. The rising cost of living has forced many families to cut down on non-essential spending.

Restaurants that were once busy, particularly during evenings and weekends, are now often seen with few customers. Popular picnic and recreational spots also remain largely deserted.

Many Chitralis are reportedly avoiding unnecessary trips to the down-country areas because of the high cost of travel. People say they are being forced to save money even on routine social and recreational activities.

The situation has affected not only consumers but also restaurants, transporters, traders and other businesses that depend on local spending. .. CN report, 06 Sep 2026

No Cause Whatsoever Can Justify Terrorism

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CHITRAL:  There may be a school of thought which believes that when peaceful methods do not solve a problem or fail to achieve goals, terrorism can be resorted to, for a just cause. This thought is most dangerous as much as it is unjust and inhuman.

Terrorism, whatever its cause or justification, is fundamentally unnatural to a peaceful human society. It may be committed in the name of liberation, resistance, religion, political change, revenge, or even for money. But no cause can make the deliberate use of terror against human beings acceptable.

History shows that conflicts may arise over land, power, ideology, religion or injustice. Such disputes can and do demand resistance, political struggle and, in extreme circumstances, armed conflict. But terrorism becomes particularly abhorrent when violence is directed at people who have no part in the conflict, ordinary men, women and children who simply happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The victims of terrorism often have no say in the issues that led to the violence. They lose their lives, families lose their loved ones, and communities are left with fear, hatred and mistrust. In this way, terrorism does not merely kill individuals; it damages the very fabric of society.

There should therefore be no double standard in condemning terrorism. The identity of the perpetrators, the religion or ideology they invoke, or the cause they claim to represent should make no difference. Terrorism against innocent people is wrong whether it is committed in the name of religion, liberation, revolution, nationalism or money.

Humanity must learn to distinguish between a cause and the methods used in pursuing it. A legitimate grievance may deserve attention and justice, but terrorism cannot be the answer. Peace, justice and human dignity cannot be built upon the deliberate suffering of the innocent.

The world unitedly must deplore terrorism  most vehemently, without qualification, without double standards and without exception. .. CN report, 06 Sep 2026

Ongoing Chaos Justifies Replacement of Democracy With ‘Meritocracy’

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CHITRAL: The ongoing chaos in the country which repeats itself every few years should be an eye opener now for the sensible people of Pakistan. The existing political system is a dirty slush every way you look at it and is getting worse with each passing day. There is no sign of any ideology or any principles any where. It is a total smudge of personal priorities and short term aims and gains.

The system of Meritocracy if implemented can clear this muck and prove a system where there would be no buying and selling of parliamentarians, no conspiracies against the government by political opponents, no unrest every few years and no nonsense of any sort created by the rotten political system. .. CN report, 11 Mar 2022 .. ( Re-published from Archives)

Pakistan Needs an ‘Honest’ Govt Run by AI

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CHITRAL: The word ‘honesty’ is easy said than done, especially in Pakistan. When our religious teachers recommend short Quranic verses (Dua) and rituals to wash away a hundred years stain of sins, how can we expect people to adopt honesty as a policy. The people in government are of the same ilk bred and brought up under the same conditions.

A scientific way of dealing with the human failing as we see in Pakistan is to set up a government administered and managed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This concept is being adopted by China, by first transforming it’s judicial system to be administered by AI, later they will shift the whole governance system to AI. Pakistan needs a human intervention free system most, as human values are least found here. .. CN report, 24 Jan 2023 — (This is an archive post re-published)

Wireless Electricity Transfer: Finland Almost There

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Finland is attracting attention for advanced research into wireless electricity transfer, a technology that could soon reduce reliance on traditional electrical wiring. The technology allows power to be transmitted over short distances through the air without a physical cable.

Wireless charging is already used in consumer devices, but transferring electricity on a larger scale remains an area of research and development. If successfully advanced, the technology could have future applications in transport, public infrastructure and energy systems.

However, large-scale use would require extensive testing, particularly for efficiency and safety. The reported developments therefore represent an area of ongoing research rather than a replacement for conventional   power networks at present. … Source

Stealing From Mosques in Chitral: A Proof of Moral Decay

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CHITRAL: Mosques in Chitral and elsewhere have ablution places where a string of taps are attached to a thick pipe to serve water. Recently there are reports that these taps have been dismantled and taken away by thieves in the dark of the night. Although this act in itself seems to be an act of petty theft (‘gunah e saghira’) on the face of it, but deep inside it is a big story of moral decay of the society.

Similarly some 15 years back, new shoes of this writer were found missing after coming out of Friday prayers at the mosque. I walked barefoot to my house about 200 meters away.

In the evening called the Imam of the mosque to my house. His first expression on seeing me was a big smile. He quickly said “You can afford new shoes, it was the rizq ( provision) of the person (thief)”. I promptly admonished him and said it was an occasion for him to cry instead of smiling. I said your prayer leadership is useless if you yourself cannot admonish a thief, and that too at a mosque.

The fact of the situation now about the tap thiefs case in police is that there are two aspects to it:

1. The law enforcing agency i.e the police should guard the taps

2. It should be worriedly pondered as to how the thieves morally dared to steal taps from a mosque.

Whereas the law enforcement point is rudimentary and nothing much can be done about it, the fact the persons stealing taps from the house of God and don’t care about Gods retribution is the real worrisome issue -This is actually the heart wrenching issue here. It must be addressed with all seriousness- Preachers must preach that there is no let off for stealing shoes or taps from mosques as at anywhere else. if not done, the carpets, clocks and other items will disappear from the mosques regularly”.

The real theft is not only of mosque property. It is actually the theft of our moral values    .. CN report, 03 Sep 2026

DPO Lower Chitral Adamant Against Drug Traficking; Assures Women Protection

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CHITRAL: Lower Chitral police under the leadership of District Police Officer Ms Resham Jahangir is adamant to take stronger action  against drug trafficking. She also assured better protection for women, with a special anti-drug monitoring cell and a women’s police station to be established in the district.

The initiatives were announced by the DPO during an open public forum attended by residents from different parts of Chitral Tehsil. Participants raised concerns about drug trafficking, misuse of social media, women’s issues and other social and security problems.

The DPO said police were determined to curb the spread of drugs and urged citizens to provide timely and reliable information about drug dealers and criminals. She said measures were also being considered to rehabilitate drug addicts and help them return to productive lives.

A National Cyber Crime Investigation (NCCI) desk is also being established to deal with cybercrime and the misuse of social media, she said.

The DPO directed police to increase patrolling in sensitive areas, including Broz, and said the women’s police station would provide women easier access to justice, legal assistance and protection.

She assured residents that their genuine complaints and suggestions would be taken seriously and addressed within the police department’s jurisdiction. .. Source

Roof Top Cricket Facility Introduced in Chitral

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CHITRAL: ‘Foodland Arena’, a rooftop facility for cricket-playing enthusiasts, has been introduced in the centre of Chitral city on top of Foodland Cafe- a popular restaurant known for its fresh food and drinks, traditional Quetta tea and panoramic ambience.

The new facility offers young people and cricket lovers an opportunity to enjoy their favourite sport in a lively and convenient setting right in the heart of the city. With its rooftop location, the arena also provides players and visitors with a refreshing view of the surrounding town and mountains.

The initiative is expected to add a new dimension to recreational activities in Chitral, particularly for youngsters looking for healthy and enjoyable ways to spend their leisure time.

After a game, visitors can relax at Foodland Cafe and enjoy its variety of food, beverages and famous Quetta tea, at a reasonal price making the venue an attractive combination of sport, food and social activity.

The introduction of Foodland Arena reflects the growing interest in providing modern recreational facilities in Chitral and could prove particularly popular among cricket enthusiasts during the evenings and weekends. .. CN report, 02 Sep 2053

A Major Healthcare Step for Chitral: Nephrologist Now Available via Teleconsultation

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CHITRAL: Patients in Chitral suffering from kidney-related problems can now consult a specialist doctor without having to travel to major cities.

Dr. Asma Hafeez, a nephrologist associated with Aga Khan Health Service Pakistan, is now providing online consultations to patients through the Aga Khan Diagnostic Centre, Chitral.

The Teleconsultation service allows patients to speak directly with the specialist through a video link. They can explain their health problems, discuss previous medical reports and receive professional advice about further tests, treatment and follow-up care.

The facility is particularly useful for patients living in remote areas, who often have to travel to Islamabad, Peshawar or other major cities to consult specialists.

Saving Time, Money and Travel

Through this service, patients can have direct access to a kidney specialist while remaining in Chitral. It can help reduce the time, travel expenses and difficulties involved in seeking specialist treatment outside the district.

The service can be especially helpful for people suffering from chronic kidney disease, urinary problems, or kidney complications related to high blood pressure, among other conditions requiring specialist advice.

The introduction of nephrology Teleconsultation is being seen as an important step towards making specialised healthcare more accessible to people in Chitral and other remote areas.

For patients who need specialist kidney care, the facility provides an opportunity to seek expert medical advice without immediately having to leave the district. .. CN report, 02 Sep 2026

Pakistan at the Brink: Governance or Collapse

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CHITRAL: Pakistan is awash with problems of its own making. The nation’s governance failures – weak accountability, unchecked corruption, and reckless mismanagement- have hollowed out institutions. A surging population intensifies the strain, while the erosion of moral values, especially in financial dealings, has corroded trust at every level of society. The standard of morality is at such a level that when before we would point out a person from the crowd and say “There goes a ‘dishonest person” now we point out a person from the crowd and say “There goes an ‘honest’ person”.

This is not merely misfortune; it is a man-made disaster. Leaders evade responsibility, institutions are treated as personal fiefdoms, and citizens are left disillusioned. The result is paralysis: a country unable to move forward, trapped in cycles of recurring debt, dishonesty, and decay.

 The Urgent Reforms Pakistan Cannot Delay

Accountability above all: Independent watchdogs and empowered courts down to the district and Tehsil level must hold officials answerable. Transparency in public spending must become the national standard.

Population discipline: Family planning and women’s education are not optional – they are survival tools for a nation bursting at the seams.

Financial integrity: Bribery, tax evasion, and fraud must be punished severely and decisively. Honesty in business and public service must be rewarded.

Values-driven education: Schools and seminaries must teach ethics, civic responsibility, and respect for law. Without values, no reform will endure.

Local empowerment: Decentralization is essential. Funds and authority must flow to local governments, where accountability is closest to the people.

Economic discipline: Pakistan must break its addiction to foreign loans, broaden its tax base, reduce it’s overhead spendings which are probably the highest per capita in the world and invest in industries that create jobs and exports.

Pakistan’s crisis is not about systems alone – it is about mindset. Institutions must be treated as instruments of service, not tools of power. Citizens must demand honesty and accountability. Without this transformation, no constitution, no democracy, no reform will succeed.

The choice is stark and urgent: continue down the path of collapse, or embrace bold reforms that restore integrity and discipline. Pakistan cannot afford delay. .. CN report, 01 Sep 2026

GB Sees rise in Foreign Climbers, Trekkers

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.. by Jamil Nagri 

• Over 2,200 adventurers visited region from April to August
• Official says climbing season has closed, but trekking will continue until October

GILGIT: More than 2,200 foreign climbers and trekkers visited Gilgit-Baltistan during the summer season from April to August this year, a senior official of the GB Tourism Department said.

Sajid Hussain, deputy director of the GB Tourism Department, told Dawn that foreign adventurers visited the region to scale some of the world’s highest peaks and trek in restricted areas, including K2 (8,611 metres), Nanga Parbat (8,126m), Broad Peak (8,047m), Gasherbrum-I (8,080m) and Gasherbrum-II (8,035m).

The official added that a large number of foreign and domestic tourists were currently visiting popular destinations across Gilgit-Baltistan. Foreign tourists visiting open-zone areas do not require permits.

Officials said foreign tourists visiting GB’s tourist destinations and open-zone areas from multiple countries during the spring, summer and autumn seasons were expected to surpass 10,000 this year.

Mr Hussain said the number of foreign adventurers visiting GB this summer was higher than last year. The official said tensions following the US-Israel war on Iran, as well as a fuel price hike, had affected the influx of foreign and domestic tourists to GB last year.

Mr Hussain said the climbing season had now closed, although trekkers continued to visit restricted areas, including the K2 Base Camp trekking route. “The arrival of trekkers will continue until October,” he said.

The Gilgit-Baltistan government earned Rs350 million from expedition and trekking pe­­rmits during the summer season up to June 30.

President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, retired Major General Irfan Arshad Khan, told Dawn that the surge in international tourists this year, despite uncertainty in the Middle East, fluctuations in fuel prices and other factors, was encouraging.

“Tourism is a source of employment for the people of GB. Besides the revenue collected through trekking and mountaineering fees, local people, including porters, hotel owners, transporters and shopkeepers, benefit by millions of dollars directly from tourists,” he said.

“Following the war in the Middle East and the law-and-order situation in Pakistan after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei during US and Israeli attacks on Iran, many countries issued advisories to their citizens against travelling to Pakistan. There were also delays in the issuance of permits for foreign climbers and trekkers. Otherwise, the number of foreign adventurers visiting GB would have been higher than 2,200,” Major General Irfan Arshad Khan said.

He said more than 4,000 foreign climbers and trekkers were expected to visit the region next year. He said the flaws causing delays in the issuance of permits to foreigners and other related issues would be resolved.

However, the summit success rate on major peaks in GB, including K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum-I, Gasherbrum-II and Nanga Parbat, remained low because of snow avalanches, rockfalls, high winds and unpredictable weather conditions at high altitudes. .. Source 

Psychologists Define the 6 Elements of Mental Health

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Psychologists Defined the 6 Elements of Mental Health. How Many Do You Have?Forget TikTok trends or Instagram advice, a new study asked dozens of actual experts what is actually important for good mental health.

Trauma, anxiety, autism, ADHD, neurodivergent. Put just about any word related to mental health into a Google Trends search and you’ll see the same pattern: a relatively flat line up until about 2020 and then a steep climb thereafter.

It’s a bit of objective confirmation for a trend many people already noticed. The internet in general, and social media in particular, is increasingly overrun with talk of mental health. A quick spin around TikTok is enough to convince most people that Interest in psychological well-being has clearly never been higher. (Though if you want scientific confirmation, studies exist.)

Which makes one central fact about mental health all the more startling. Experts in the field had never even agreed on what good mental health looks like. At least until a new study took a stab at nailing down the key ingredients of psychological health.

Mental health is hard to pin down

We all know intuitively what it means to be physically healthy. You’re free of disease and pain and your body works as it should. Your heart pumps, your spleen spleens, and your muscles do whatever you ask them to do. But what does mental health look like?

Why Smart Founders Say No to Big Deals

Sigmund Freud hinted at the problem when he claimed the goal of therapy is to turn “hysterical misery into common unhappiness.” Suffering is part of life and people are wildly different. Where the line sits between normal variation and a problem worthy of concern is far from clear. Concepts like happiness are notoriously hard to pin down.

This complete lack of a well defined target has been a bit of an embarrassment for mental health professionals. So a group of 122 of them recently decided to do something about it.

How to get 122 academics to agree
The group included a variety of mental health experts, from psychologists and psychiatrists to public health researchers and even philosophers, from 26 mostly western countries. They came together with one goal: to use an established technique for finding consensus called the Delphi method to settle an important question once and for all. What are the essential ingredients for good mental health .. Source

Moto2 Racer Falls For Chitral’s Mountains

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CHITRAL: Former Spanish Moto2 racer Axel Pons, turned hippie, who once lived life at high speed on some of the world’s most demanding motorcycle racing circuits, has recently traded the roar of racing engines for the breathtaking landscapes of Chitral.
Pons was recently seen exploring the mountainous region along with his partner Lisa, taking time to experience the spectacular scenery and the distinctive atmosphere of one of Pakistan’s most remote and culturally fascinating destinations.

For a former professional racer accustomed to the intensity, competition and relentless pace of motorsport, his visit to Chitral offered a strikingly different experience. Surrounded by towering mountains, winding valleys and the natural beauty for which the region is renowned, Pons appeared to be enjoying a quieter and more relaxed chapter of his travels.

His presence in Chitral has also drawn attention to the region’s growing appeal as a destination for international travellers looking beyond conventional tourist routes. The area’s dramatic mountain scenery, rich cultural heritage and famously warm hospitality make it an increasingly attractive destination for visitors seeking something different from the usual tourist experience.

Pons’s journey is a reminder that Chitral has much more to offer than spectacular scenery alone. Its unique combination of mountains, culture, history and welcoming communities provides visitors with an opportunity to experience a very different side of Pakistan.

From the high-speed world of Moto2 racing to the peaceful valleys of Chitral, Axel Pons’s latest journey represents quite a change of pace-and an unusual endorsement of the region’s growing attraction to adventurous international travellers. .. CN report, 30 Aug 2026

The Prince and The Villagers Battling Over Memorial to British Empire Heroes

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CHITRAL: A forgotten monument from the era of the British Raj has become the centre of an unusual dispute between local villagers and those determined to preserve its colonial history. The decaying memorial commemorates a six-week siege, but for people living around it, the monument represents a very different and uncomfortable past. The controversy raises a larger question still relevant across former British colonies: Should the relics of empire be preserved as history- or allowed to disappear?

Read the full story in The Telegraph:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/08/30/the-prince-and-the-villagers-battling-relic-british-empire/

Chitrali Female Professional Achieves High Position in Telenor

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CHITRAL: A young female professional from Chitral has reached the senior ranks of one of Pakistan’s biggest telecommunications companies.

At just 34, Bakhtawar Salik has been appointed Vice President for Business Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence at Telenor Pakistan-a notable achievement for someone whose career began not in technology, but in business analysis.

Business analysis taught her how companies make decisions; pricing gave her an understanding of customers and markets; and analytics and business intelligence brought her deeper into the world of data. That combination eventually led her to AI leadership.

Salik herself has stressed the importance of continuous learning in an industry where technology changes rapidly. Speaking to engineering students at NUST, she described the technology sector as a “hyper change environment” and urged young professionals to keep adding to their skills.

Her achievement is particularly significant for Chitral, a region far removed from Pakistan’s main corporate centres.

For young people—especially women—from remote areas, the country’s corporate and technology world can seem distant and inaccessible. Salik’s journey demonstrates that geographical distance does not have to determine professional ambition.

Her career also offers a lesson beyond technology: careers do not always have to be perfectly planned. Sometimes, one opportunity simply prepares the ground for the next.

Bakhtawar Salik began by analysing businesses. Today, she is helping lead how one of Pakistan’s major telecom companies uses data, business intelligence and artificial intelligence.

From Chitral to the boardrooms of Pakistan’s corporate world, her journey is a reminder that talent can emerge from anywhere—if it gets the opportunity to grow. .. CN report, 30 Aug 2026

آج بھی ایک نو آبادیاتی نظام پر چل رہا CSS

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پاکستان آج بھی اپنے بعض طاقتور ترین سرکاری افسران کا انتخاب ایک ایسے نظام کے ذریعے کیوں کرتا ہے جو نوآبادیاتی دور میں بنایا گیا تھا؟

CSS کا امتحان ایک قابل اور میرٹ پر مبنی سول سروس تشکیل دینے کے لیے متعارف کرایا گیا تھا۔ لیکن آج یہ سرکاری ملازمت میں داخلے کا ایک انتہائی محدود راستہ بن چکا ہے۔ ہر سال دسیوں ہزار نوجوان کئی ماہ بلکہ بعض اوقات کئی سال ایک نہایت مشکل امتحان کی تیاری میں لگا دیتے ہیں، جبکہ کامیاب ہونے والوں کی تعداد بہت کم ہوتی ہے۔

یہ بات درست ہے کہ CSS پاس کرنے کے لیے ذہانت، محنت اور عزم کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے۔ لیکن کسی امتحان میں اچھا ہونا اور حکومت چلانے کی صلاحیت رکھنا ایک ہی بات نہیں۔

یہی وہ مقام ہے جہاں ہمیں اس پورے نظام پر سنجیدگی سے نظرِ ثانی کرنے کی ضرورت ہے۔

آج پاکستان کو معیشت، ٹیکنالوجی، صحت، تعلیم، موسمیاتی تبدیلی، مصنوعی ذہانت، مالیات، زراعت اور دیگر بہت سے شعبوں کے ماہرین کی ضرورت ہے۔ لیکن ہمارا روایتی نظام زیادہ تر ایسے افسر پیدا کرتا ہے جو عمومی نوعیت کی ذمہ داریاں انجام دے سکتے ہیں اور جنہیں ان کے خصوصی علم یا تجربے سے قطع نظر ایک محکمے سے دوسرے محکمے میں منتقل کیا جا سکتا ہے۔

آخر ایک آئی ٹی ماہر، ماہرِ معاشیات، انجینئر یا تجربہ کار کاروباری شخص کو سرکاری ملازمت حاصل کرنے کے لیے ایک عمومی امتحان میں کیوں مقابلہ کرنا پڑے؟ اور پھر ممکن ہے کہ پوری ملازمت کے دوران اسے یہ بتایا جاتا رہے کہ اسے کہاں اور کس شعبے میں کام کرنا ہے؟

ہمیں میرٹ ختم نہیں کرنا چاہیے۔ ہمیں صرف یہ تصور ختم کرنا چاہیے کہ میرٹ تک پہنچنے کا واحد مؤثر راستہ CSS ہے۔

انتظامی عہدوں کے لیے مسابقتی امتحانات ضرور ہوں، لیکن وزارتوں اور سرکاری اداروں کو بھی چاہیے کہ وہ ماہرین کی براہِ راست بھرتی شفاف اور مسابقتی طریقے سے کریں۔ یونیورسٹیوں، کاروباری اداروں اور ترقیاتی شعبے میں کام کرنے والے تجربہ کار افراد کو بھی مناسب قواعد و ضوابط کے تحت براہِ راست سرکاری نظام میں آنے کا موقع ملنا چاہیے۔

سب سے اہم بات یہ ہے کہ ترقی کا معیار صرف سینیارٹی یا ماضی میں کسی امتحان میں کامیابی نہیں ہونا چاہیے۔ ترقی کا فیصلہ کارکردگی، اہلیت اور دیانت داری کی بنیاد پر ہونا چاہیے۔

CSS کا نظام شاید برطانوی نوآبادیاتی ہندوستان کے لیے موزوں تھا۔ لیکن پاکستان اب نوآبادیاتی انتظامیہ نہیں ہے۔ ہم ٹیکنالوجی، تخصص اور تیزی سے بدلتی ہوئی دنیا کے دور میں رہ رہے ہیں۔

پاکستان کو حکومت میں کم قابل لوگوں کی نہیں، بلکہ ایسے نظام کی ضرورت ہے جو جہاں کہیں بھی قابل اور باصلاحیت لوگ موجود ہوں، انہیں تلاش کرکے قومی خدمت کا موقع دے۔

شاید اب وقت آگیا ہے کہ ہم صرف یہ سوال نہ پوچھیں کہ CSS کو مزید بہتر کیسے بنایا جائے، بلکہ یہ بھی پوچھیں کہ کیا ہمیں CSS کی موجودہ شکل میں واقعی ضرورت ہے؟

.. CN Report، 28 اگست 2026

CSS: A Colonial System for a Modern Pakistan

Posted on by Staff desk

Why does Pakistan still choose some of its most powerful government officers through a system designed for the colonial age?

The CSS examination was introduced to create a competent and merit-based civil service. But today, it has become a remarkably narrow gateway to government. Every year, tens of thousands of young people spend months or even years preparing for one extremely difficult examination, while only a tiny fraction make it through.

Passing CSS certainly requires intelligence, hard work and determination. But being good at an examination is not the same thing as being good at running a government.

This is where the system needs serious rethinking.

Pakistan today needs experts in economics, technology, health, education, climate change, artificial intelligence, finance, agriculture and many other fields. Yet our traditional system tends to produce generalist officers who can be moved from one department to another, regardless of their specialised knowledge.

Why should an IT expert, economist, engineer or experienced business professional have to compete in a general examination to enter government—and then possibly spend a career being told where to work?

We should not abolish merit. We should abolish the idea that CSS is the only meaningful route to merit.

Let there be competitive examinations for administrative positions. But let ministries also recruit specialists directly through transparent, competitive processes. Let experienced professionals from universities, business and the development sector enter government through properly regulated lateral recruitment.

Most importantly, promotion should depend on performance, competence and integrity—not simply seniority and the fact that someone once passed an examination.

The CSS system may have served colonial India well. But Pakistan is no longer a colonial administration. We are living in an age of technology, specialised knowledge and rapid change.

Pakistan does not need fewer capable people in government. It needs a system that can find capable people wherever they are.

Perhaps it is time to stop asking how we can improve the CSS—and start asking whether we need the CSS in its present form at all. .. CN report, 28 Aug 2026