Every year, scores of candidates strive to attain good marks in the CSS exam. However, results are often disappointing as is evident from the recent written result of October 2012 in which less than eight percent of the contestants were declared successful. Apparently, the candidates are given an impression that they are lacking in ability. To reach a more accurate and impartial conclusion, one needs to dig a bit deeper by unveiling the unjust and wicked system behind all this. Basically, since Jinnah’s death, the pursuit and production of knowledge in this country has taken place within a narrow, ideological framework and biased historiography. Even a CSS aspirant has to confine himself to laboriously constructed religious and historical myths by our official spin-doctors, a slight deviation from which proves enough to wreak havoc on one’s result. This holds especially true in the case of Pakistan Affairs, Current Affairs, History and Islamic Studies papers in which the marks allotted are shockingly low. Indeed, a selection process that values learning by rote, rather than depth and breadth of knowledge, and assigns marks accordingly, is not only unbalanced, poor and rotten, but also breeds corruption and mediocrity in the long run.

Truth be told, intolerance for independent thinking has already done incalculable damage to this country. Since the whole nation is educated on stereotyped and suppressive lines, it has ceased to have a mind of its own. It has been years since a great intellectual, original artist, honest administrator or a brave soul came out of this country’s soil. I am one of the unfortunate sufferers of the CSS 2012 exams and firmly believe that I have been punished for my creative streak and unorthodox leanings. Plato rightly asks Socrates in The Republic, “Who will guard us from the guardians” if the latter begin to misuse their power? Undoing the earlier result and conducting a fairer and objective re-evaluation of the papers are still within the domain of the revered chairman. Owing to his responsible position, one hopes that he will seriously look into the matter and will come up with an active and just solution in the larger interest of the suffering candidates.