LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to offer a two-year age relaxation across the board to candidates appearing for all posts advertised by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), including the Provincial Management Service (PMS).

The Standing Committee of Cabinet on Legislative Business chaired by Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja last month had approved allowing a one-time one-year age relaxation to candidates aspiring to appear for the PMS competitive examination.

The committee had met and taken a decision on a summary moved by the PPSC chairman, wherein he had requested for a one-year age relaxation to the PMS aspirants as the commission had not conducted the examination during 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The chairman stated that many a candidate would become ineligible if the age relaxation was not granted, and lose their right to appear for the competitive examination.

Govt takes decision in the wake of pandemic affecting holding of PPSC, PMS examinations

When the standing committee’s decision reached Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, it is learnt, he asked the committee to consider a two-year age relaxation in the wake of the ongoing pandemic. The chief minister also maintained that the age relaxation not only be given to PMS candidates, but all those appearing for different competitive examinations advertised by the PPSC.

“Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has agreed to offer two years of age relaxation to the PMS competitive examination candidates as well as expressed consent to extend the same facility to other PPSC candidates too,” said a spokesman. “In-principle approval has been given in this regard which would also be approved from the provincial cabinet.”

To complete legal formalities, the Standing Committee of Cabinet on Legislative Business chaired by the law minister met at the Civil Secretariat on Wednesday. It agreed to the proposal and decided to forward a fresh summary to the CM for a final approval by the cabinet.

The committee decided that the age limit for the next examination would be counted from Jan 1, 2022. This relaxation, however, will not serve as a precedent.

KASHMIR SOLIDARITY DAY: CM Buzdar said the UN Security Council had granted Kashmiris the right to decide about their future through its resolution passed on Jan 5, 1949 but the decision remained unfulfilled due to Indian stubbornness till date.

In a message, the CM said the people of India-held Kashmir were awaiting a peaceful resolution to the core issue of the disputed valley according to the Security Council resolution. He said Pakistan would continue to extend full support to the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination.

The CM regretted that the international community’s silence over the worst genocide being committed in held Kashmir was unfortunate, adding a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue would ensure durable peace in South Asia.

PML-Q: PML-Quaid president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and federal Minister for Water Resources Moonis Elahi said Jan 5 was the day of self-determination of Kashmiris, but unfortunately the oppressed people of held Kashmir were still deprived of this basic right. They said the Indian occupying forces could not suppress the right of Kashmiris to self-determination.

DR YASMIN RASHID: CM Buzdar on Wednesday telephoned Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid, inquired after her and prayed for her early recovery. Dr Rashid thanked the chief minister, adding that she was feeling better.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2022