With women who cite domestic pressures and delayed beginnings, a resolution approved in the National Assembly aims to raise the age limit of CSS to 35 and the number of attempts from five, and some welcome it as a very old level measure to level the playing field and others that warn can cling to young people in a close professional career while ignoring deeper reform problems.
Although the government has expressed the desire to bring reforms to the civil service system, public opinion appears very divided.
Many on social networks have questioned the wisdom of extending the age limit, arguing that they can lead the candidates to spend the best moment of their lives chasing a single exam instead of diversifying their efforts.
“This could mean losing precious years preparing for an uncertain opportunity,” said an online official.
However, legislators urged the government to implement changes immediately so that young candidates can prepare under the new rules.
PML-N MNA Syeda Nueheen Iftikhar, who runs the forum of young parliamentarians, said that several applicants were disqualified this year due to the late results of the exam, which meant that they exceeded the age limit before being able to apply again.
Speaking to the BBC, Iftikhar said that many of those who approached it were women who had to suspend the preparation of CSS due to marriage, motherhood or domestic responsibilities.
“It was discouraging to hear their stories. Given the economic limitations in the country, we have not been able to offer our young people the type of opportunities they deserve,” he said.
Chaman Sandhu, a user of social networks, praised movement as one that could lead to a more fair and transparent exam process.
However, others were more critical. A user wrote: “What we need is a reform in the CSS structure, not only the resolutions. The central problem is with the bureaucracy itself, the generalists should give way to the specialists.”
