Desk: In Pakistan, two men from the minority Hindu community have qualified to join the country’s federal civil services. Jeevan Rebari and Khem Chand Jandora from Sindh province are among the 170 candidates declared successful for induction into the Central Superior Services (CSS) after the results were announced by the Federal Public Service Commission on Thursday.
This achievement comes at a time when representation of minority groups in government jobs has historically remained low. According to the 2023 population census, Hindus are the largest minority community in Pakistan, with a population of 3.8 million, most of whom live in Sindh province.
The representation of minorities in Pakistan’s CSS has long been limited, prompting the government to introduce initiatives such as special training programs in 2025 to improve inclusion. According to the Federal Public Service Commission, 12,792 candidates appeared in the written examination nationwide. Of these, 355 candidates passed, and after subsequent stages, a total of 170 candidates were finally selected. Official figures indicate that 123 seats reserved for minorities still remain vacant, highlighting the significance of these candidates securing a place in the merit list.
The Constitution guarantees equal rights and a five percent quota for minorities in federal jobs. However, their actual representation remains below the quota limit. The CSS includes 12 occupational groups, ranging from the Foreign Service to the Postal Service. After the 2022 results, Rajendra Menghwar became the first Hindu officer in the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP). His success encouraged others to pursue careers in this field and become role models.
Khem Chand’s parents had to take loans at high interest rates and sell jewelry to support his education. He belongs to the Jandora community, whose name is derived from “Jand,” referring to a heavy stone grinder traditionally used for grinding wheat and selling flour. His father was the first in the community to challenge tradition, as pursuing education was considered a rebellion against ancestral occupation. Khem Chand shared that his mother sold her jewelry and his father took loans from private banks to fund his education.
Jeevan Rebari’s success is also remarkable, as he did not rely on the minority quota but succeeded on open merit. Due to a lack of resources, he took shelter in a gurdwara and met his basic needs through community meals (langar). He comes from a community historically engaged in livestock rearing and nomadic livelihoods. He completed his education up to university level in government institutions, earned an LLB from the University of Sindh’s Law Department in 2021, and later moved to Lahore to prepare for competitive exams. Jeevan made his first attempt in 2023.
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