I have taken CSS 2012 and my first priority is Foreign Service. I was wondering if after recruitment one could go to foreign universities of his own choice to study IR. If it happens what is the criteria and years one has to be in service to be selected for foreign studies. Any senior would like to elaborate?

My husband is in FSP. Yes they get a chance to stdy abroad their are various scholarships offered such as Fulbright, British Chevening, etc But the competition is very severe among colleagues.

@ Kanwal

I needed to ask you if FSP officers are allowed to apply for scholarships such as Fulbright, Rhodes etc or they can apply for only those scholarships offered by the ministry?

Secondly, are they able to get long leave for the period of studies?

Yes, FSP officers are allowed to apply for scholarship, study abroad on full pay on study leave provided that the course is related to one's job. For details please go through Leave Rules of Federal Government.

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Absolutely correct. Although, if the scholarship is something that you have landed on your own there is much more flexibility in terms of the course of study you may pursue.

The last part regarding the leave rules is very important. For instance you will only be getting full pay for a certain duration, half pay subsequently and no pay beyond some time. In anycase, if you are looking to continue your studies after joining the Foreign Office you should understand that it can only be done after you have joined the ministry, i.e. post CTP and STP.

If you are currently an awardee of any scholarship grants then you would have to look into the possibility of delaying your CTP, if it comes to that.

On a related note, being down this road myself, i would always encourage you to ehaustively explore such opportunities, more so if you can do so on your own and land a proper 2/3 year grant. The scholarships through the foreign office tend to be one year in duration generally, and usually explicitly so at the entry level ( your initial years of service).

Good Luck!

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Your question has been answered

I want to ask if an FSP officer wants to take his mother and father along with his spouse to foreign countries then what is the procedure? Is this allowed by ministry or are there restrictions?

Mam Kanwal since your husband is FSP, so kindly reply! thx

Only spouse and children are sponsored by the government. They get the diplomatic red passports also. Parents have to be taken on personal expenses. But the salaries are very low so its financially sensible if the officer visits Pakistan as this service leads to detachment back home further in the career. This is the major reason y people dont choose FSP and might even choose postal and omg as options.

Thankx mam kanwal for your reply.
One thing which is shocking in your reply is about Salaries, which according to you are low in FSP.
Infact, I have heard that the salaries are very high in FSP.
Kindly Clarify.

The salaries are according to the BPS 17 scale initially. Its upto to the officer how he makes use of his career. U get ta da when u visit abroad for courses, meetings, conferences etc as it adds to ur salary.