Mir Musawwar Ali Mithani, a Larkana native who topped Pakistan’s Central Superior Services (CSS) Examination 2023, has appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari for justice after being assigned to the Pakistan Audit and Accounts Service instead of his first-choice occupational group.
Mithani expressed pride in representing Sindh, the homeland of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, but considered the allocation unjust, according to The Express Tribune.
CSS rules generally permit top scorers to choose their preferred groups, such as the Pakistan Administrative Service or the Foreign Service. In contrast, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) assigns other candidates to groups like the Police or Customs.
Despite achieving a top rank, Mithani’s assignment has raised concerns and sparked debate, leading some to suggest possible administrative errors or regional bias, although these claims have not been verified. The FPSC has not publicly addressed this issue.
CSS 2023 Overview
In 2023, the regular CSS exam saw 28,024 applications, with 13,008 candidates taking the written test. Only 401 passed, and 210 were recommended for positions, yielding a 2.96% success rate, per FPSC data. A Special CSS Exam had 21,947 applicants, with 15,245 writing the exam, 519 passing, and 141 succeeding, a 3.20% success rate. Mithani’s achievement stands out in this competitive landscape.
Media coverage has intensified the controversy, underscoring concerns regarding merit-based allocations. The case has resonated in Sindh, where Mithani’s success is a source of pride.
Mithani’s situation highlights the necessity for clear CSS group allocations, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity of Pakistan’s civil service. As he awaits Zardari’s response, this controversy invites scrutiny of the FPSC processes and can potentially affect future allocations.
