Serious ill-planning and mismanagement was seen during the recent AS-level examinations in Islamabad, which coincided with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. For all those planning to enrol their children in O and A level programmes should reconsider their decision as merely financing the studies is not sufficient. Surprises can be thrown one’s way by the exam organisers, and there is no chance of a reprieve for those stuck in this alien system. Significantly, the Pakistan gov- ernment and the Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) have passed on their primary and auxiliary responsibilities to certain teams as well as their offices. They enforce the plan with brutal high-handedness with zero consideration for the ground reality. This is with reference to the report “Bill tabled for ‘preventive detention’ of terror suspects” (Nov 2). Pakistan, unfortunately, has not been a stranger to terrorism. Across the world, countries have always recognised the need for uncompromising action against terrorism. The proposed re-introduction of preventive detention in Pakistan, through amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 1997, reflects the government’s recognition of the persistent and evolving threats. However, critics argue that such dete-ntion measures infringe on civil liberties, and caution that an indiscriminate application could lead to abuses. These concerns are surely not without merit. The Provincial Management Service (PMS) examination is a crucial tool for inducting civil service officers in Pakistan. Currently, the provinces of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Sindh use the PMS exam for recruitment purposes, but Balochistan still uses the Provincial Civil Service (PCS) examination. There is a dire need to bring in due uniformity across the country in this regard.