Ma'am Kinza Kazmi, you're doing us all a great favour by collecting and sharing this information regarding everyday life in the Foreign Service of Pakistan.

I hope you'll continue to share these pieces, along with your own personal experiences and interactions, for the benefit of us all in this forum.

Foreign Service of Pakistan was constituted on an ad hoc basis immediately on the birth of Pakistan. The Service was first given an executive fiat in a decision of the Federal Cabinet in July, 1948. A formal resolution constituting the service was announced in October 1952.

It envisaged diplomatic posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the Diplomatic and consular missions of Pakistan abroad.

The resolution provided for the posts of (a) Secretary (1),
(b) Joint Secretaries (2),
(c) Deputy Secretaries (8),
and (d) Under Secretaries (16)
Posts for Pakistan Diplomatic Missions abroad provided for Ambassadors (17), High Commissioners (5),
Ministers (4),
Commissioners (1), Deputy High Commissioners (2),
Counselors (15),
First Secretaries (10),
Second Secretaries (19),
Third Secretaries (31),
Consul General (3),
Consul (4),
and Vice Consul (7).

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When your parents reach old age don,t even say Ufffff in front of them....

Dildar Ali Abro Foreign Service of Pakistan, (FSP) CSS-2009

Saturday, October 01, 2011
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Jahangir’s World Times: Would you tell us about yourself, educational background and achievements.
Dildar Ali Abro: I belong to a rural area i.e. Odero Lal station which is located in district Matiari, Sindh. I got primary education from my hometown. I received secondary education from a boarding school system. After graduation, I got third position in the inter-provincial scholarship from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

Then I did Masters in Sociology from Sindh University, Jamshoro. After this, I appeared in the CSS examination-2009 and got selected in Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP). I think qualifying the CSS exam was my greatest achievement because I got allocated in my favourite group i.e. Foreign Service of Pakistan, (FSP).

JWT: Did you join any academy? If not, then how did you manage to qualify the CSS exam in the first attempt?
DAA: No, I did not study in any CSS coaching academy but there are a number of factors which brought this success for me. First of all, my brother and I opted for the same subjects. So, we became study partners which helped us to pass the exam in the first attempt. Moreover, my elder brother always encouraged me and the prayers of my mother also played a vital role in our success.

JWT: What should be the strategy for the preparation of the CSS exam?
DAA: It is clear that proper guidance and subject selection are the important prerequisites of the CSS exam, but as far as the strategy is concerned, it can be described in the words of our teacher Sir Idrees Bhutto -- 'extensive writing practice'. So, one has to develop one’s capacity as well as quality of English writing because a candidate has to pass the written part of the exam first.

Moreover, I would say that consistency is important because any strategy for the CSS exam can only be successful when it is followed consistently. If there would be gaps then it would not deliver.
JWT: Why did you opt for 'Foreign Service'?
DAA: Well! to me, it is not only an occupational group but also a unique style of life. In fact, foreign service is a realm where one can enjoy interaction with the world leaders and intellectuals. In addition, one can experience dynamism, understanding of different cultures and civilisations throughout one’s career. Hence, these unique features of 'Foreign Service' fascinated me and I opted for it.
JW: Any message
DAA: “Readers are leaders” aspirants must develop their habit of extensive reading. They should read magazines, especially the 'Jahangir's World Times', newspapers and books of eminent writers for the enhancement of their knowledge. The aspirants must improve their writing skills by putting their best efforts and then leaving the result to Almighty Allah and He will give you the best.

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When your parents reach old age don,t even say Ufffff in front of them....

Jahangir’s World Times: Would you tell us about yourself, educational background and achievements.
Dildar Ali Abro: I belong to a rural area i.e. Odero Lal station which is located in district Matiari, Sindh. I got primary education from my hometown. I received secondary education from a boarding school system. After graduation, I got third position in the inter-provincial scholarship from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi.

Then I did Masters in Sociology from Sindh University, Jamshoro. After this, I appeared in the CSS examination-2009 and got selected in Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP). I think qualifying the CSS exam was my greatest achievement because I got allocated in my favourite group i.e. Foreign Service of Pakistan, (FSP).JWT: Polio has scarred the image of Pakistan in the world. Although you yourself are a polio victim yet your successes are definitely phenomenal. How you can portray the positive image of our country?
RW: Polio is, of course, a serious challenge for Pakistan. Actually, there is a little awareness among common people about the rights of the disabled and facilities to be provided to them. I myself had to face a lot of problems to reach this stage. I believe Pakistan is a country abounding in opportunities because I, myself, have become a part of this prestigious fraternity without any political backing or influence.
Foreign Service of Pakistan — my first choice in the occupational groups — is the right platform to present a positive image of Pakistan as through this, I can represent Pakistan all over the world.

JWT: Impressed by your endeavours, if some readers decide to go for CSS, then what advice would you give them? And, how do you see Jahangir's World Times (JWT) as far as guidance for CSS-exam is concerned?
RW: I would exhort readers and new aspirants to believe in hard work. Always keep in mind that there is no substitute to hard work. When hopes are high and eyes are towards target then nothing is impossible, that is what I have learnt from my life and, of course, personal experiences.
Candidly, Jahangir's World Times (JWT) worked as a mentor for me as it has been a constant source of knowledge when I couldn't join any academy during the preparation for written part as well as for interviews. It was JWT that provided me with all the required information about the CSS and its preparation. All its articles are very informative and thought-provoking. I would strongly recommend the new aspirants to consult JWT while preparing for the CSS.

JWT: How one can make a difference in written part?
RW: One can make a real difference through vast reading and by developing one's analytical skills. Elements like coherence, clarity of ideas and logical arguments must be kept in mind while answering the question. Strong introductory and concluding paragraphs also prove really helpful.

JWT: How did you manage to get through Essay and Précis & Composition papers? Although these two are the most crucial papers, yet you fetched good marks especially in Composition paper?
RW: I drew up a simple strategy; write, write and write. I used to write and practice complete essays and it helped me a lot in developing writing skills and rectifying any mistakes. This ultimately paid off and I got excellent marks in Composition paper. Students usually shun practicing essay or précis which is not the right approach. The more you write, the more you know about your weaknesses and the more you sharpen your writing and analytical skills. As regards English composition paper, one should work on the basic syntax, enrichment of vocabulary, and above all, one should always work more and more on précis, comprehension and expansion of ideas.

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When your parents reach old age don,t even say Ufffff in front of them....

@kinza kazmi

Please refrain from using red font color.

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To succeed,look at things not as they are,but as they can be.:)