Represents Pakistan’s diplomatic interests abroad, manages international relations, and serves as ambassadors and diplomats in foreign missions.
Governing Body
Introduction
Foreign Service of Pakistan (FSP) is a cadre that runs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Pakistan) as well as Pakistan’s Embassies/High Commissions/Consulates in other countries of the world.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tasked to manage Pakistan’s diplomatic and consular relations as well as its foreign policy. It is also responsible for maintaining Pakistani government offices abroad with diplomatic and consular status.
Training
Specialized Training Program:
After completing Common Training Program (CTP) at Civil Service Academy, Lahore, the probationers of Foreign Service of Pakistan join the Foreign Service Academy, Islamabad for a nine-month-long Specialized Diplomatic Course. Following subjects are taught in Specialized Diplomatic Course :
- Foreign Policy
- Diplomatic Theory and Practice
- International Politics
- International Law
- Pakistan’s Foreign Trade
- International Economics
Upon completion of this course, the trainees have to sit for the Final Passing Out Examination (FPOE) conducted by the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC).
Language Courses:
Foreign language training is an essential component of training of a Foreign Service officer. A few months after graduating the Foreign Service Academy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nominates officers for foreign language courses to study Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish at premier language institutes in the countries where these languages are spoken. The duration of language courses vary according to the level of difficulty of a language. The objective is to make the diplomats fluent in the language they specialize in.
Degree Programs:
Foreign Service officers are encouraged to pursue further studies to enhance their knowledge and expertise in foreign affairs. A large number of scholarships are offered by foreign governments exclusively for Foreign Service officers and every year several of them proceed abroad to study in following subjects at leading international universities and institutes.
- International Relations
- International Law
- Public Policy
- Environmental Law
- WTO Law
- Human Rights
- Diplomacy and Management
Short Courses:
A number of short courses are also offered by foreign universities and institutes including sister institutes of the Foreign Service Academy.
Promotion Courses:
All Foreign Service officers are also required to qualify certain mandatory training courses at different intervals in their career. These courses are mandatory for their promotion to the next grade and include
- Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC)
- Senior Management Course (SMC)
- National Management Course (NMC)
Departments & Divisions
Following are departments and divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA):
Departments
- Bureau of Foreign Intelligence
- Department of Comprehensive Nuclear Testings Ban
- Department of National Assessment & Security Auditing
- Department of Nuclear Disarmament, Non-Proliferation & Nuclear Power
- Foreign Service of Pakistan
- Institute of Strategic Studies
Divisions
- Afghanistan, Iran & Turkey & West Asia Division
- Africa Division
- Americas Division
- China & SCO Division
- CAR & ECO Division
- East Asia & Pacific Division
- Europe Division
- Middle East Division
- South Asia Division
- United Nations Division
- Counter-Terrorism Division
- Audit & Consular Affairs
- Arms Control & Disarmament
- Economic Coordination & Organization of Islamic Cooperation
- Finance Division
- Legal & Treaties Wing
- Strategic Export Control
- Spokesperson Division
- Policy Planning & Research
- Press Information Office
Posts
After graduation from the Foreign Service Academy, a Foreign Service officer joins the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad as Assistant Director. There are three categories of Divisions in the Ministry:
- Administrative
- Protocol
- Political Divisions
Headquarters
BPS-17: Assistant Director
BPS-18: Deputy Director
BPS-19: Director
BPS-20: Director-General
BPS-21: Additional/Special Secretary
BPS-22: Secretary (Head of Department)
Missions Abroad
BPS-17: Third Secretary/Vice Counsellor
BPS-18: Second Secretary/Counsellor
BPS-19: First Secretary/Deputy Counsellor General
BPS-20: Counsellor General/Ambassador/High Commissioner (Trivial Areas)
BPS-21: Ambassador/High Commissioner (Important Areas)
2 Comments
Thanks for this as I was looking for proper guide as I am eager to join foreign services of Pakistan. Just want to know which optional subjects should be adopted for this?
wanna join