Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi on Wednesday inaugurated the lecture series titled “Beyond the Syllabus” at the National Library of Pakistan, aimed at supporting students preparing for the Central Superior Services (CSS) examinations.
Federal Secretary for National Heritage and Culture Asad Rahman Gillani delivered the inaugural lecture titled “Knowing Pakistan: Culture, Society and the Making of an Effective Civil Servant”, providing students with insights into Pakistan’s cultural and social landscape, the evolution of civil services and the qualities required to become an effective public servant.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Aurangzeb Khan Khichi said the National Heritage and Culture Division had initiated the lecture series as a practical effort to provide CSS aspirants with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and senior officials from different fields, including the judiciary and civil services.
He said the lecture series would supplement students’ academic preparation by exposing them to practical knowledge, professional experiences and perspectives that went beyond conventional textbooks and examination syllabi.
The Minister said that although various academies were already providing preparation facilities to CSS aspirants, the National Heritage and Culture Division had decided to utilise its existing resources and institutions to extend support to students.
He said the National Library of Pakistan was already facilitating students by providing access to a wide range of physical books as well as digital resources, enabling them to prepare for competitive examinations in a conducive academic environment.
The Minister encouraged the students to make full use of the facilities available at the National Library and benefit from the lecture series, saying that such initiatives could help broaden their understanding and prepare them for the responsibilities they would undertake after joining the civil service.
Delivering his inaugural lecture, Secretary Asad Rahman Gillani emphasised that critical thinking, sound judgment and the ability to make decisions based on reason and logic were essential qualities for a civil servant.
He advised the students to develop the confidence to take decisions after carefully examining facts and circumstances and, once a decision was taken on sound reasoning, to stand by it with responsibility and conviction.
The Secretary said that joining the civil service should not be viewed merely as an achievement, a prestigious position or a career milestone, but as a lifelong commitment to public service and national development.
He urged the students to enter the civil service with the objective of bringing positive change, improving public institutions and contributing to better governance and service delivery. He said the ultimate purpose of public service should be to serve the people and address their needs with honesty, professionalism and dedication.
Advising the aspirants not to compare their journey or achievements with others, Secretary Gillani said every individual had a different path to success. He encouraged them to remain focused on their own goals, avoid jealousy and competition driven by negativity, and concentrate on continuous learning, self-improvement and professional integrity.
The Secretary also discussed the historical evolution of the civil service during the British period, highlighting how some structures and practices developed during that era continued to influence the administrative system. He also pointed out the shortcomings and challenges within the system and stressed the need for future civil servants to understand these issues in order to contribute towards institutional improvement and reform.
He identified Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the rapid transformation brought about by emerging technologies as among the major challenges and opportunities facing the next generation of civil servants. He stressed that future public servants would need to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills to effectively respond to technological, administrative and social changes.
Secretary Gillani encouraged the students to work hard and remain consistent in their preparation, saying that thorough preparation, hard work and luck could contribute to success, while determination, discipline and perseverance were essential throughout the journey.
He also engaged the students in an interactive question-and-answer session, responding to their questions and sharing practical guidance on decision-making, public administration and the responsibilities of a civil servant.
The lecture provided the students with an opportunity to interact directly with a senior civil servant and gain practical insights into public service, leadership, professional ethics and the role of civil servants in strengthening institutions and serving society.
The “Beyond the Syllabus” lecture series is part of the National Heritage and Culture Division’s initiative to provide students with access to knowledge, practical experiences and expert guidance alongside the academic resources available at the National Library of Pakistan.
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