I AM a candidate for CSS examinations and facing the worst possible situation in my life in view of the reduction in the age limit.

Pakistan is notorious for the policies of it rulers who are motivated by their vested interests. A example in this case is the issue of revisiting the age limit for appearing in CSS exams that was reduced mindlessly by the previous dictator to 28 years.

Contrary to the issue of condition of graduation for contesting elections, which was struck down unanimously by our ruling elite, the issue of granting some age relief to the hundreds and thousands of affected candidates is getting no heed from our rulers.

The efficiency of our rulers in protecting their personal interests is matchless while public interests do not seem their major concern. Had there been some son or nephew of our respected rulers facing this age constraint, the issue would have been solved in no time.

Reduction in the age limit mainly affects middle-class students because they need more time to be able to compete with students coming from privileged educational systems.

According to some press reports, granting of age relaxation for the forthcoming CSS exams is under consideration.

I hope our rulers will spare some time for those talented young men and women who are facing the bottleneck of age restriction by removing it for good.

SHAHID IQBAL

Attock