The National Heritage and Culture Division in Pakistan has launched a lecture series for students preparing for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations.
Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi inaugurated the “Beyond the Syllabus” series at the National Library of Pakistan.
The first lecture, titled “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, providing students with 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, Federal Minister Khichi said the lecture series was intended to complement existing CSS preparation programs by giving students access to senior officials and professionals from fields including the civil service and 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.
The Minister encouraged the students to make full use of the facilities available at the National Library and benefit from the lecture series, saying that 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 also 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 questions and sharing practical guidance on decision-making, public administration and the responsibilities of a civil servant.
