The Senate on Monday passed a resolution that seeks to allow Central Superior Services (CSS) aspirants to take their exams in Urdu as well.
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Amir Sirajul Haq moved the resolution in the Upper House, demanding that the CSS exams be taken in Urdu.
He stated that China, Japan and other countries developed because of the use of their national language in exams. “We can also progress by holding the CSS exams in Urdu,” he opined.
Sirajul Haq said only five percent of candidates could pass compulsory subjects.
State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the CSS exam consisted of six compulsory subjects and 45 optional, and added that all compulsory subjects were taught in English language at universities.
He said the CSS aspirants should be allowed to take their exams in the language of their choice.
Towards the end of the debate, the Senate adopted a resolution with an amendment that Urdu be added as an optional language in the exams alongside English.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Parliamentary Leader in Senate, Senator Sherry Rehman, expounded on the resolution she had earlier moved against the shifting of the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Headquarters from Karachi to Islamabad.
Speaking on the floor of the House on Monday, Sherry Rehman put forward three questions that need urgent clarity from the government, “First, if the government is not shifting the PIA Headquarters to Islamabad, as it claims, then why is it opposing the resolution? It suggests something is not right. Second, we heard that it was decided to shift the headquarters to Islamabad because their representatives have to attend Senate and parliamentary committee meetings. Has this not always been the case? The government should give a definitive statement about the motivations behind the move. Lastly, why is this entire process being kept so secretive? It is unfortunate that we are forced to ask this question.”
“A couple of days ago, the issues surrounding the move were raised in the Aviation Committee headed by Senator Mushahidullah in order to have some semblance of clarity as to what exactly is going on and how can we move forward through the proper mechanisms in place. However, the minister was absent for the third time,” she said.