I don't know why but i feel like hitting Ahsan Iqbal. How on earth he feels that he is "Aql e Kul" to reform civil services. Since he is advocating for possession of particular degree as an eligibility criteria for particular group, can someone ask him that what degree he possess to reform the civil service? Does that degree make him eligible to reform civil services?

Cluster based examination for civil services was introduced in India but system failed miserably and shamefully. Eventually, they reverted back to old system. Clearly, this system isn't workable in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan and India.

Ahsan Iqbal thinks that having relevant degree will equip candidate for certain job. This reflects his ignorance : he is not only oblivious of system of education in Pakistan but also he will restrict pool of talented candidates to serve Pakistan.

First thing first, we all know how pathetic our system of education is, how masters degrees are awarded in universities. Most of university graduates can't find respectable job in corporate sector because university didn't equip them with relevant theoretical and practical knowledge.

On the other hand, we know that an aspirant who chooses an optional subject of 200 mark, Say for example Islamic history and then study hard to prepare that, if he scores more than 60% marks in that subject in CSS then ( according to my experience) he is better equipped with the knowledge of history than a Masters degree holder of any ordinary university.

Mr. Iqbal should do away with the suggestion of "Particular discipline". Instead he should create clusters for civil services occupational groups and each cluster should have it's own optional subjects. For instance, aspirant who want to join PAS should be given variety of subjects related to Public Administration etc to choose. However I recommend that options should be minimum. Likewise aspirant of PSP, FSP, PCS etc should be made to choose relevant subjects.

This will not only equip aspirants with relevant knowledge but also will not restrict talented candidates from entering occupational group of their choice.

Moreover if Mr. Iqbal is an advocate of specialisations then he should do away with CTP and enhance the period and Quality of STP. Surely, civil servants will learn more in STP then they learn in university while acquiring their masters degree.

Secondly, Mr. Iqbal want to directly induct experienced personnel from corporate sector, especially when they're are in their 30's 40's or even 50's. In a corruption ridden Pakistan where even a peon is not hired without a sifarish, how would he make sure that the key posts are solely filled on the basis of merit?

Young Civil servants should only be inducted directly through CSS, afterwards, they should be subjected to continuous rigorous training program to keep them abreast of latest advancement. Concurrently, Civil services is the only merit based institution in Pakistan and I hope the incumbent government doesn't mess with it.