LAHORE: In a significant achievement reflecting both personal excellence and the growing representation of underrepresented regions in the country’s civil services, Salar Baloch, a probationary officer of the 53rd Common Training Programme (CTP), has been awarded the President’s Gold Medal for the best overall performance at the Civil Services Academy.
Salar Baloch, who belongs to the Office Management Group (OMG) and hails from Panjgur, Balochistan, secured the top honour after demonstrating exceptional performance throughout the duration of the Common Training Programme, a mandatory and rigorous foundational course for newly inducted civil servants. His accomplishment is being widely regarded as a landmark moment, as he is believed to be the first individual from Balochistan to receive the President’s Gold Medal, as well as the first officer from the OMG to achieve this distinction.
The President’s Gold Medal is considered the most prestigious award conferred during the training programme at the academy. It is awarded to the probationer who exhibits outstanding performance across a comprehensive range of parameters, including academic achievement, physical fitness, discipline, leadership qualities and overall conduct. According to officials familiar with the evaluation process, Baloch maintained consistently high standards in all components of the training, distinguishing himself among his peers through a combination of intellectual ability, commitment and exemplary behaviour.
The passing-out ceremony, held at the academy premises in Lahore, was attended by senior civil and military officials, faculty members and families of the graduating officers. The event marked the culmination of months of intensive training designed to equip young officers with the administrative, professional and ethical foundations required for public service. Participants undergo a demanding schedule that blends classroom instruction, field exercises, physical training and character-building activities aimed at preparing them for the challenges of governance.
Officials noted that the 53rd CTP (Common Training Programme) comprised probationers from diverse academic, regional and professional backgrounds, all of whom underwent a highly competitive and structured training process. Within this cohort, Baloch’s performance stood out
as a model of consistency and excellence, earning him the academy’s highest accolade.
Following the completion of the Common Training Programme, the officers will now proceed to their respective specialised training programmes at designated institutions affiliated with their occupational groups. These advanced trainings are tailored to develop the specific skills required in their respective service cadres before they assume field responsibilities.
Baloch’s success has drawn widespread appreciation, particularly in Balochistan, where it is being celebrated as a moment of pride and progress. Observers say the achievement highlights the increasing participation of candidates from the province in Pakistan’s civil services, a trend that reflects both improved access to education and a growing aspiration among youth to contribute to national development through public service.
