In a recent examination for Trade and Investment Officer (TIO) positions in Pakistani missions abroad, around 60% of federal government officers failed to pass the test. This test, held by the prestigious Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), was a crucial part of the selection process for the important roles of representing Pakistan’s trade and investment interests internationally.
Out of 178 officers who took the written test, 106 did not meet the required 60% marks, which means only 72 candidates successfully passed. Among the successful candidates, 37 were from BPS-18, 22 from BPS-19, and 13 from BPS-20. Most of these officers came from the Inland Revenue Service (IRS), with 25 of them passing the test. Other successful groups included Commerce & Trade, Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), Customs, and a few from the Office Management Group and Economist groups.
The written test makes up 60% of the evaluation for these positions. The remaining 40% is based on interviews, which are conducted by a board chaired by the Commerce Minister and approved by the Prime Minister. This system is designed to ensure that only the most capable officers are chosen to represent Pakistan in various missions around the world.
There are 28 positions available for Trade and Investment Officers in Pakistani missions abroad, but not all positions require the written test. Some high-ranking posts like Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva and Economic Minister in Brussels will be filled through a special selection board (SSB) rather than through the standard test process.
The selection policy for these roles is quite specific. Each position has a set quota for candidates from different grades: 40% of the positions are for BPS-20 officers, 50% for BPS-19, and 60% for BPS-18. If there are not enough qualified candidates in a particular grade, the remaining positions will be open to a broader pool of candidates.
In addition to government officers, 10% of the positions are reserved for qualified Pakistani nationals from the private sector or the diaspora. These candidates must meet the same eligibility criteria, and for diaspora candidates, there are specific rules about which countries they can apply to based on their foreign nationality or residency.
Once selected, the successful officers will be assigned to various Pakistani missions worldwide. These include countries such as Kabul, Moscow, Istanbul, London, Athens, Singapore, Beijing, Paris, Tehran, Los Angeles, and several others. These postings offer the opportunity to represent Pakistan’s interests on the global stage, focusing on promoting trade and investment opportunities for the country.
The process is designed to ensure that only the most qualified officers are chosen to represent Pakistan internationally. Despite the challenges of the selection test, the aim is to have well-trained officers who can effectively contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s position in the global trade and investment landscape.
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