Historic Achievement: Two Hindu Men Break Barriers in Pakistan's Civil Service

Two Hindu Candidates Excel in Pakistan's Civil Service Exams

Islamabad: In a significant milestone, two individuals from Pakistan's Hindu minority have successfully qualified for the federal civil service, a sector where their representation has been notably scarce.

Jeevan Rebari and Khem Chand Jandora, hailing from Sindh province, were among the 170 successful candidates in the Central Superior Services (CSS) exams, as announced by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) on Thursday.

With a population of approximately 3.8 million, Hindus represent the largest minority group in Pakistan, predominantly located in Sindh, according to the latest census data from 2023.

Historically, the representation of minorities in the CSS has been minimal, prompting the government to implement initiatives such as a special training program in 2025 aimed at enhancing inclusivity.

The FPSC reported that out of 12,792 candidates who took the written exams, only 355 passed, leading to a final selection of 170 after subsequent evaluations.

Official statistics reveal that there are currently 123 reserved seats for minorities that remain unfilled, underscoring the significance of the achievements of these two men.

Khem Chand's family faced financial hardships, taking out high-interest loans and selling jewelry to support his education, while Jeevan had to seek refuge in a gurdwara, relying on community meals to meet his needs, as reported by the BBC.

Khem Chand is part of the 'Jandora community,' which derives its name from the traditional stone mill used for grinding wheat.

His father was a pioneer in advocating for education within their community, which historically viewed educational pursuits as a challenge to traditional roles.

To fund his studies, Khem Chand's mother sold her jewelry, and his father borrowed money from private lenders at steep interest rates.

Jeevan Rebari's accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as he succeeded based on general merit rather than the minority quota.

Coming from a community traditionally engaged in livestock herding, he completed his education at government institutions, earning his LLB from Sindh University in 2021 before moving to Lahore for competitive exam preparation, where he attempted the CSS for the first time in 2023.

The CSS encompasses 12 groups, ranging from the Foreign Service to the Postal Service, and Rajendra Menghwar made history as the first Hindu officer in the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) following the 2022 results.

Rajendra's success has inspired others to pursue careers in this field, demonstrating the potential for change.

Despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights and a 5% quota for minorities in federal employment, actual representation continues to fall short of these targets.