ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday rejected a petition seeking to prevent the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) from conducting the CSS 2025 exams before announcing the results of CSS 2024.

IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the identical petitions of the candidates appeared in the CSS exams 2024.

A day earlier, Justice Kayani summoned the Chairman FPSC.

During the hearing on Tuesday, FPSC Chairman retired Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz Satti appeared before the court, accompanied by Additional Attorney General Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal.

The petitioner, Hamza Javed, along with his legal counsel Ali Raza Advocate, argued that the lack of results prior to examination deprived candidates of the opportunity to assess their performance and adjust their subject choices accordingly.

A large number of CSS 2024 candidates were also present in the courtroom.

Justice Kayani questioned the FPSC chairman whether there is any precedence of delaying results for new exam cycle.

The chairman confirmed that such a situation had never occurred before.

However, he maintained that the FPSC had taken the decision in the larger interest of conducting exams on time.

He further argued that candidates would not lose their chances due to the scheduling, and the logistical arrangements, including booking 88 exam halls nationwide, were already in place.

The Additional Attorney General defended FPSC’s authority, stating that the law permits holding the next examination even if results have not been declared prior to examonation.

Justice Kayani, however, expressed concern over the delay, remarking that timely results would have prevented such grievances.

He criticised the situation, stating that withholding results while allowing future exams undermines candidates’ rights.

The court noted that the students were deprived of their right to reassess their subject choices based on their previous performance.

Despite these concerns, the court ultimately ruled in favor of FPSC, rejecting the petition and allowing the CSS 2025 exams to proceed as scheduled.

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025