MY CAREER GOALS

An auditorium packed of people from all around the globe, a well-mannered person eloquently delivering his point and a history – of personal triumph – is in the middle of being written. As the event progresses, the audience indulges more and more into charisma of the speaker. Dream always ended with never-ending sound of claps. The place is unknown, people are unknown and the subject of speech is unknown. What seems familiar is the face of person standing at the rostrum. It’s my own. As the time progressed, the blurry picture began to unveil itself gradually and the mystery got unfolded. Idea was not of becoming a demagogue arousing racial hatred, neither of a so-called peace-preacher articulately discouraging clash of civilizations, nor of a technology geek selling his brand to a ‘herd’ of global entrepreneurs. It was of representing my country in an international forum by joining Foreign Service of Pakistan. A quest that started from the very inception of the time when people start planning – rather fantasizing – their futures.

To some, I sounded like a high-sounding idealist yearning for a very narrow career path and to others I was a mismatch to the diplomatic cadre due to my slightly under-rated credentials. In short, feedback was mixture of mockery and some ‘sincere’ advises to think in a more pragmatic way. To some extent, they are justified when they say that Civil Service is not my pigeon as I am a qualified engineer who enjoys luxury of having a good job in hand. But I have dared to dream differently as I don’t want to work in a limited entity for the rest of my life doing petty jobs. I want to become part of intellectual elites of my country, get international exposure to groom myself and contribute to official foreign policy of my nation.

It may be argued that there is not much room for performance in Foreign Policy of country like ours dominated by military establishment where civilians are considered nothing but mouth-piece of their military counterparts. It is true but to some extent. Firstly, inter state relations are not limited only to strategic issues, intelligence sharing and war-and-peace-talks but it is a very wide area consisting of various folds of state to state co-operation. Other elements of foreign relations include but are not limited to community relationship, bilateral business and trade pacts, culture exchange programs and social co-operation of masses. Each one of the aforementioned issue is an independent field of research on its own. Consider the implications of a breakthrough achieved in bilateral or multilateral trade relations on the treasury of the country - directly and on the amelioration of socio-economic conditions of its populace - indirectly. This very fact is more than enough to nullify the cliché that diplomats are not peoples’ servants rather they are solipsistic creatures paying occasional service to safeguard the monetary interests of non-resident business tycoons of their respective countries. Secondly, I believe that we as a nation are undergoing a revolution - safely speaking, evolution - of respecting the importance of National Institutions. Due to rise of bourgeoisie and increase in overall awareness level of civil society, de-centralization of power is taking place with an amazingly steady pace. After close study and emulation of governance models of various developed nations of different times in the human history, we as a nation have realized the importance of proper functioning of every state institution. Transition, as always, isn’t an easier one as “Power Hawks” are trying their best to avoid the slip of power from their hands but won’t be able to resist the mass movement for longer. This transformation is more likely to pave the way towards “right people doing right jobs”. And it is my firm belief that need will increase more and more of good brains to develop an efficient and competitive foreign policy for Pakistan symbolizing national interests.

Another important factor that led to choice of Foreign Service is the associated prestige of its. Such are the privileges of diplomatic community all over the world that we have phrases like “dining like a diplomat” in English lexicon. Imagine being deputed in United States and addressed by President of America with the title of “His Excellency”! The career provides both short term and long term growth, making it more attractive. Most attractive feature is that after completion of training, an officer is sent to one of the leading universities of world to learn any of the foreign language. Such a diverse is the career plan that it is always a learning experience making stagnancy, a term unknown to diplomats because after every three (can be more or less) years one is deputed to a different country. They are provided with state sponsored family residence, vehicle, medical facilities and free education for children. Above all, a red passport for you and your spouse entitling the holder an entry to many countries without visa along with special diplomatic treatment at airports. In long terms, the practical knowledge and exposure gained from different assignments throughout life can be applied - for mutual benefit of country and one's ownself - while becoming ambassador abroad or head of designated strategic area desk at Islamabad.

The road to achievement of my goal is not an easy one as it is not a child’s play to qualify country’s most prestigious examination while managing a tough job schedule at the same time. But I am all set to face the music. The thumb rule to success is the proper planning and continuity of efforts. Stakes are high, so is the reward and failure is a word unknown to me.