LHC orders FPSC to conduct CSS exams in Urdu from 2018

Lahore: Lahore High Court has ordered the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) to ensure holding of CSS (Central Superior Services) exams 2018 in Urdu language considering the verdict of Supreme Court.

On Tuesday, Justice Atir Mahmood passed the order on an appeal filed by Advocate Saifur Rehman, a candidate of CSS 2017, who had objected to an FPSC advertisement that he said was silent regarding the language in which the exam will be conducted.

Saifur Rehman asked the court to order Federal Public Service commission to hold CSS exams in Urdu language as instructed by Supreme Court in a judgment in 2015.

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However, the judge turned down the petition on the implementation of Urdu language in current year CSS exam because of the paucity of time.

The commission’s counsel notified the court that arrangements were being made for transferal from English language to Urdu language and a committee for this reason had also been made that will make recommendations in this respect in given period of time.

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He furthermore added that the issue had also been taken up along with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

The judge said that there was no refusal to the fact that the judgment of the apex court was needed to be implemented in letter and spirit.

But, as the practice of conducting CSS exam in English is going on since long by FPSC, it requires some time to shift from one language to another language.

The issue has already been taken up by Federal Public Service Commission with Higher Education Commission.

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Justice Atir noticed that since the CSS examination was going to be held from the end of this month, the court was not inclined to issue an instant order for the implementation of the Supreme Court’s verdict.

In 2015, a 3 member’s apex court bench had ordered the government to adopt Urdu as official language and fulfill its legitimate obligation in promotion of the language.

The court had ordered that copies of the decision be sent to all the federal and also to provincial secretaries, who are needed to take instant steps for enforcement of Article 251 in line along with Article 5 of the Constitution.