The Pakistan Civil Services Academy (CSA) concluded its first-ever National Outreach Programme (NOP) on Saturday, marking a significant milestone in efforts to foster inclusivity and diversity in Pakistan’s civil bureaucracy. Held at the CSA’s Walton Campus in Lahore, the month-long programme was designed to prepare young aspirants from Christian, Hindu, and Sikh communities for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examination.

A total of 43 participants from minority backgrounds, selected through a nationwide process, completed the training. The programme offered not only academic preparation—including CSS orientation, mock exams, and policy briefings—but also mentorship and leadership development aimed at equipping the participants for public service. It was developed in response to the persistent underrepresentation of minorities in Pakistan’s civil services. Despite recent reforms such as relaxed age limits and a Special CSS Examination, only 16 candidates from minority groups qualified, with 14 joining the 53rd Common Training Programme. Over 100 quota seats remain unfilled, underscoring the need for such targeted interventions.

At the closing ceremony, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, Rabiya Javeri Agha, called the programme a “second chance” for many who had long been excluded from positions of influence in the country’s administrative system. She praised CSA for creating a strong mentor-mentee framework and urged participants to extend the same support to others. “Mentorship is the lifeline of empowerment,” she said. “The gates of CSA are no longer guarded by the elite and privileged. We need diversity, we need fresh perspectives.”

The Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan, Per Albert Ilsas, attended as the special guest and expressed admiration for the initiative. “This is a very important initiative. I’m deeply pleased to be here today and witness this example of empowerment in action,” he said. He engaged with the aspirants and was briefed by CSA Director General Farhan Aziz Khawaja on the philosophical underpinnings of the Academy’s approach. Khawaja explained that the CSA motto, “Khidmat-un-Naas” (Service to the People), draws inspiration from the inclusive literary legacy of Amir Khusro.

Participant Majinder Kaur, representing the Sikh community, described the experience as a “life-changing chapter.” She expressed gratitude to the government and CSA for creating an inclusive environment and said, “We learnt from a family that believes in inclusivity. This programme assured us we have a place in the future of Pakistan. The courage we gained here will carry us forward.”

CSA Director General Farhan Aziz Khawaja told the participants that their presence reflected the state’s commitment to constitutional principles such as the Objectives Resolution, the Principles of Policy, and Fundamental Rights. He thanked the Establishment Division and Prime Minister’s Office for supporting the initiative and noted, “The State of Pakistan is in action for inclusivity. Wherever the principle of policy lies, the Government of Pakistan is reaching out.”

Dr. Shabbir Akbar Zaidi, CSA’s Director of Capacity Building, emphasized that the NOP was more than just a training programme—it marked the beginning of a purposeful journey. “You now possess the tools, knowledge, mentorship, and direction to serve with competence and commitment,” he said, reiterating that the Academy had designed the programme to fill the representational void in civil bureaucracy.

The closing ceremony was attended by senior officials, diplomats, and civil society leaders, including Saeed Ahmed Umrani, Secretary Minority Affairs Balochistan; Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Price Control and Commodities Management Punjab; Dr. Mujtaba Arfat, CEO of Punjab Workers Welfare Fund; Zulfiqar Ali Kharal, Special Secretary to the Chief Minister of Punjab; Muhammad Khan Ranjha, Secretary Special Education Punjab; and Beenish Fatima Sahi, Director General of the Punjab Institute of Language, Art & Culture.

Saleem Shakir, President of the Christian Businessmen Fellowship Pakistan (CBFP), and Salomi Sharono, Vice President of CBFP, also attended the event and met with Ambassador Ilsas. Shakir commended the programme and offered prayers for the bright futures of the participants, saying, “Their resilience is inspiring, and we hope they serve the nation with excellence and integrity.”

The CSA has announced that similar outreach programmes will be launched for youth from Balochistan, the merged tribal districts (formerly FATA), and children of industrial workers in collaboration with the Workers Welfare Fund. These efforts are aimed at building a more representative and inclusive bureaucracy in Pakistan.

The conclusion of the National Outreach Programme stands as a testament to Pakistan’s potential for inclusive governance. It reinforces the belief that the nation’s future civil service must reflect the diversity, talent, and aspirations of all its people.