The National Library Pakistan launches lecture series for CSS aspirants, an initiative by the National Heritage and Culture Division to provide specialised guidance to students preparing for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations, ary news reported. The series, titled “Beyond the Syllabus,” was inaugurated by Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi at the National Library of Pakistan. The first lecture, “Knowing Pakistan: Culture, Society and the Making of an Effective Civil Servant,” was delivered by Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Asad Rahman Gillani, offering students insights into Pakistan’s cultural and social landscape, the evolution of civil services, and the qualities required to become an effective public servant.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Khichi said the lecture series was intended to complement existing CSS preparation programmes by giving students access to senior officials and professionals from fields including the civil service and the judiciary. He said the initiative would provide practical knowledge and professional perspectives that were not necessarily covered by conventional textbooks and examination syllabuses. The minister also encouraged students to make greater use of the National Library’s physical and digital resources, which are available to those preparing for competitive examinations. He urged them to fully utilise the facilities and benefit from the lecture series, saying such initiatives could help broaden their understanding and prepare them for the responsibilities they would undertake after joining the civil service.
Delivering his inaugural lecture, Secretary Asad Rahman Gillani told students that critical thinking, sound judgment and the ability to make decisions based on evidence were essential qualities for civil servants. He said joining the civil service should be viewed not simply as a career achievement or prestigious position, but as a commitment to public service and national development. Gillani urged the students to enter the civil service to bring positive change, improving public institutions and contributing to better governance and service delivery. He said the ultimate purpose of public service should be to serve the people and address their needs with honesty, professionalism and dedication.
The Secretary also discussed the historical development of Pakistan’s civil service, including administrative structures inherited from the British period. He highlighted challenges facing the current system and said future civil servants would need to understand these issues if they were to contribute to institutional reform. Artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, he said, would bring significant changes to public administration. He also engaged the students in an interactive question-and-answer session, responding to their queries and sharing practical guidance on decision-making, public administration and the responsibilities of a civil servant. The National Library Pakistan launches lecture series for CSS aspirants marks a significant step in bridging the gap between theoretical preparation and the practical demands of public service.
This initiative underscores the government’s recognition of the need to equip aspiring civil servants with a broader understanding of Pakistan’s society and governance structures. By bringing in senior officials to share their experiences, the series aims to inspire a new generation of public servants committed to national development. As the National Library Pakistan launches lecture series for CSS aspirants, students now have a valuable opportunity to gain insights that go beyond the syllabus and prepare themselves for the challenges of the civil service.
Source: ARY News