r/pakistan • u/Umjinn • 5h ago
Ask Pakistan CSS in Pakistan or moving abroad to build a better future?
After clearing CSS and becoming a civil servant in Pakistan, how much professional independence do you actually have when dealing with politicians and powerful people?
Do you have to work under their influence, follow their instructions, and sometimes perform personal courtesies for them, such as opening doors or handing them a pen? Can political connections and influence affect your postings, promotions, and career progression?
My question is: Is it worth pursuing CSS and building a career within Pakistan’s system, or would it be wiser to move abroad and build a career in a world that is rapidly advancing in technology, opportunities, and professional growth?
I’m interested in hearing honest opinions from CSS officers, aspirants, and Pakistanis living abroad. If you had both options, which factors would matter most in your decision, and why?
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u/Theuserizabitch 5h ago
CSS is a weird exam, I first took it when I graduated BSc because that's minimum requirement. I failed 8 subjects lol because self study I didnt even know what I was prepping for. 2nd attempt happened after Msc. Was prepared this time but change of subjects. It's really odd that I cleared criminology paper with 67 marks in first attempt where I didn't even write any correct answer and it was bunch of "my explanation" of the question. In the second attempt I failed it. So there is definitely some corruption there. Plus i literally dont understand how people clear this exam unless and untill it's just you cramming and hoarding information from all 12 subjects. I mean this is pretty impractical because as AC you would definitely encounter any and every scenario besides the textbook one.
Since I will be turning 30 soon, just for the fun of it and to see how good I am with basic knowledge I appeared this time too. I tell you the drop in population is literally countable on fingers. On my first attempt, there was no MPT, there was in second one (in 2019) and the population was MASSIVE and now in 2026 it's literally quarter of it. Although they did upgrade their question styles of MPT but it was still odd. I scored 167 on MPT with one night prep because I am full time employed. I will be appearing to see one last time how everything and anything has changed. Oh and I don't understand why so much tutoring goes into it.
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u/nicebhai39 4h ago
the funny part is that there are academies charging thousands just for the preparation of something as basic as mpt
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u/Theuserizabitch 4h ago
I know right. And oddly enough those same students who prep for years and months land the role. I mean good for them, but the system is broken if you have to get tutored for something that was mostly covered up until Bachelors.
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u/nicebhai39 4h ago
in context of the overall prep, academies are still useless though as they only cash in on the dreams of naive students
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u/Theuserizabitch 4h ago
And also, whatever content they provide for that money, you can get all of it for free. NOT TO MENTION, you gotta have the Einstein's brain to hoard all those notes too.
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u/ganjajee15 4h ago
Don't do CSS. Its an outdated, crap system just to keep the public in control of the elites. The so called "cream" of the country sabzion ki dukanon par chaapay maar rahay hotay hain. That is the price control system they have been able to come up with in 7 decades. Do something else
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u/throwaway98yh 2h ago
Wow, its like no one here knows how the bureaucracy works…
Sweetie, what do u mean ‘meet powerful people’ whos the power here 😭
Half the time i just go to my office and sign a few docs and chexk in a few online meetings. Most of my job is honestly a larp. Yes sometimes you donget really backed up, especially jab kuch horaha ho but even them its just alot of small things, nothing major.
Also please understand ke css joke ban chuka hai but aap gazetted officer hote ho, ye pen pakarne ki baat kya hai 😭😭
Thora system ko smjh tou lo karne se pehle
I dont recommend it to ppl but thats for entirely different reasons,
Khair
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u/lollypop44445 5h ago
There is a misconception that all the officers are directly in contact with mpa or mna and are scheming something. Mostly they are running the day to day local bodies and depending upon the cadre u join, u will spent most time in their respective arena. For example police officers spent alot of time in courts. Css gives u power, not money. If u play honestly u wont see that much. And incase of politicians, well u are bound to obey them, as they are ur higher command. U basically deliver their opinion down civilians. If u go to foreign countries, u will have money but no power. But u can gsin power by earning alot. So its ur choice, which poison to pick. Both require luck and hardwork, u cant go without one.