The Civil Services Academy (CSA) has reaffirmed its commitment to interfaith harmony, minority inclusion and equitable governance at the ninth International Conference on World Religions, held under the umbrella of UNESCO. Organised by Minhaj University Lahore on October 24 and 25 under the theme 'Healing a Wounded World: Religious Responsibility, Solidarity, and Action', the conference brought together religious leaders, scholars, policymakers, academics and practitioners from Pakistan and several other countries.
A delegation of 10 probationary officers of the 55th Common Training Programme, accompanied by CSA faculty members, participated in the conference and engaged with national and international experts on religious responsibility, peacebuilding, social inclusion and the protection of minority rights. Director General CSA Farhan Aziz Khawaja, who addressed the conference as chief guest, said public institutions had a responsibility to translate constitutional guarantees into meaningful action.
He stressed that an inclusive and representative civil service was essential for equitable governance, national cohesion and public trust. He said future civil servants must be sensitised to religious diversity, minority rights, equality and non-discrimination so that they could serve all citizens with fairness, dignity and respect.
Khawaja appreciated the organisers for providing a platform for dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation among diverse religious and academic communities. He said interfaith harmony should not remain confined to dialogue but must be reflected in practical measures aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of every citizen and strengthening a shared sense of national belonging.
Highlighting the CSA's National Outreach Programme for Minorities, he said the initiative provided guidance, academic support and mentorship to CSS aspirants from minority communities across the country. The programme, he added, was designed to help candidates navigate the competitive examination process, overcome barriers to entry and contribute to a more representative civil service reflecting Pakistan's social and religious diversity.
The initiative is based on the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination and equal opportunity. He informed the participants that two batches of the programme had been completed, while the third batch was scheduled to begin in January 2027.
He also spoke about the activities of the CSA's Interfaith Harmony Society, which provides probationary officers with opportunities to learn about different faith traditions, engage in dialogue and develop mutual understanding. Through awareness activities and interaction with diverse religious communities, the society seeks to promote empathy, tolerance and respect for Pakistan's pluralistic social fabric among future civil servants.
Dr Syed Shabbir Zaidi, Director CSA, delivered a keynote address during a session titled 'Philosophical Perspectives on Healing a Wounded World'. He discussed the relevance of philosophical and ethical thought in addressing contemporary social challenges and emphasised the role of public institutions in promoting social cohesion, inclusive governance and respect for human dignity.
The two-day conference featured keynote addresses, invited lectures, technical sessions and panel discussions involving speakers from Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Switzerland, fostering global academic and interfaith collaboration.