CSS aspirants need practical knowledge beyond textbooks to become effective civil servants: Khichi

ISLAMABAD, Oct 01 (APP): Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Thursday said aspiring civil servants needed practical knowledge and professional exposure beyond conventional textbooks to prepare for the responsibilities of public service.

The minister said this while he inaugurated the “Beyond the Syllabus” lecture series at the National Library of Pakistan.

The lecture series aims to connect CSS aspirants with experienced professionals and senior officials from diverse fields, including the judiciary and civil services, enabling them to gain practical insights alongside their academic preparation.

Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Asad Rahman Gillani delivered the inaugural lecture titled “Knowing Pakistan: Culture, Society and the Making of an Effective Civil Servant”, highlighting Pakistan’s cultural and social landscape, the evolution of civil services and the qualities essential for effective public administration.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the National Heritage and Culture Division has launched the initiative to utilise its existing resources and institutions to support CSS aspirants, complementing the preparation facilities already offered by various academies.

He said the National Library of Pakistan is facilitating students through access to a wide range of physical books and digital resources, providing a conducive academic environment for competitive examination preparation.

He encouraged students to make full use of the library’s facilities and benefit from the lecture series to broaden their understanding and prepare for the responsibilities of public service.

Delivering the inaugural lecture, Secretary Asad Rahman Gillani emphasised that critical thinking, sound judgment and rational decision-making are essential qualities of an effective civil servant.

He advised aspirants to carefully examine facts and circumstances before making decisions and demonstrate confidence, responsibility and conviction in decisions based on sound reasoning.

He said joining the civil service should not be viewed merely as a prestigious position or career milestone, but as a lifelong commitment to public service and national development.

He urged students to pursue civil service with the objective of bringing positive change, strengthening public institutions, improving governance and ensuring better service delivery, stressing that serving people with honesty, professionalism and dedication should remain the ultimate purpose of public service.

Advising aspirants against comparing their achievements with others, Gillani said every individual followed a different path to success.

He encouraged them to remain focused on their goals, avoid jealousy and negative competition, and concentrate on continuous learning, self-improvement and professional integrity.

The secretary also discussed the historical evolution of civil services during the British period, highlighting how administrative structures and practices developed during that era continued to influence the existing system.

Pointing out institutional shortcomings and challenges, he stressed that future civil servants must understand these issues to contribute towards administrative reforms and institutional improvement.

He identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and rapid technological transformation as major challenges and opportunities for the next generation of civil servants, emphasising the need to continuously upgrade knowledge and skills to respond effectively to technological, administrative and social changes.

Gillani encouraged students to work hard and maintain consistency in their preparation, observing that thorough preparation, hard work and luck could contribute to success, while determination, discipline and perseverance remained essential throughout the journey.

The secretary also held an interactive question-and-answer session, responding to students’ queries and sharing practical guidance on decision-making, public administration and the responsibilities of civil servants.

The “Beyond the Syllabus” lecture series seeks to complement the academic resources available at the National Library with practical experiences, expert guidance and professional knowledge, helping CSS aspirants develop a broader understanding of public service and their future responsibilities.