The Need and Use of English in the Pakistan Administrative Service and the Provincial Management Service: Policy and Perception

Abstract

In Pakistan, to qualify for the written test of the Central Superior Service, it is necessary to pass the component of English in the entrance examination. The percentage of candidates who qualify in English each year is quite low. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate the need and use of English in the Administrative Services of Pakistan to see whether it is justifiable to place such an emphasis on the language in the entrance examination. Qualitative interviews were employed in this research to gauge the perception of 26 officers in the administrative service regarding the issue. The perceptions of these officers were compared against empirical data gathered from various sources. It was found that English is only used in official written correspondence amongst officers. Urdu and local languages are generally used in court proceedings, oral communication amongst officers and for interaction with lower field staff and the general population. Knowledge of English also did not significantly affect the job performance of officers. Rather, officers are able to accustom themselves with the jargon that is required at work during their training programmes and their routine functions while in office. A notable finding also indicated that due to the English barrier many capable candidates are being left out of the administrative service. Finally, the paper suggests improvements in the language-in-education policies of the country, choice of language for candidates in the competitive examination and standardising the level of English required by candidates.