ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has asked the petitioners seeking to stop the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) from conducting new examinations before announcing CSS 2024 results to present their case before FPSC officials.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani, during the hearing of the petitions of the candidates appeared in last year’s CSS exam, stated that the matter falls within FPSC’s policy domain, and the court does not intend to interfere. The judge emphasised that the decision must be taken by FPSC officials, including its chairman and senior members.

Advocate Ali Raza and other legal representatives appeared on behalf of the petitioners, while Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghumman represented the federation.

The petitioners had sought a delay in the CSS 2025 examination until the CSS 2024 results were announced.

However, the assistant attorney general defended FPSC’s scheduling, stating that due to workload constraints, the 2025 examination had been scheduled without affecting the CSS 2024 results process.

He assured the court that successful candidates of CSS 2024 would maintain precedence over CSS 2025 candidates.

Justice Kiyani inquired whether both the 2024 and 2025 results could be announced simultaneously, but the Assistant Attorney General deemed this impractical, citing the volume of applicants and the multiple stages involved in the CSS selection process. The court acknowledged FPSC’s jurisdiction in the matter and urged the petitioners to directly approach the commission.

The court asked the FPSC chairman and senior officials to hear the petitioners and resolve the matter by February 6.

It also warned that if the FPSC leadership failed to be available next week, the court would issue an appropriate order.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2025