Government Makes Written Tests and Interviews Mandatory for Overseas Trade Mission Postings

The federal government has introduced a new policy that requires government employees to pass written examinations, skill tests and interviews before being posted to Pakistan’s overseas trade missions. The Ministry of Commerce issued the policy to make appointments to these missions transparent, efficient and based on merit.

The policy applies to Commercial Assistants, Drivers, Messenger cum Drivers and Security Guards. Selection will depend on merit, eligibility, seniority and past performance. Candidates must also meet set service and qualification requirements, including at least five years of continuous service in the Ministry of Commerce.

Written examinations will carry 60 percent of the weightage for Commercial Assistants. Interviews will account for 30 percent, and past performance will make up the remaining 10 percent.

The examination will be marked out of 70, with the other 30 marks assigned to a skill test. Candidates who score below 50 percent in the examination will be ineligible. All applicants must sit the examination at the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) in Islamabad. Those who are selected must complete four weeks of training before they leave for their postings.

Drivers and Messenger cum Drivers will be selected on the basis of seniority and eligibility. They must hold a driving license that is at least five years old. They will also take driving skill tests, which include using GPS and Google Maps for navigation.

Employees who return from an overseas posting must wait two years before they can be considered for another. The standard tenure at an overseas trade mission is three years. Employees who have already completed two foreign postings cannot be posted abroad again. Those who have served six continuous years at the same mission cannot apply for another posting there.

Employees who face departmental proceedings or major penalties, or who have a record of poor performance, will also be ineligible. All selected candidates must hold a security clearance and a medical fitness certificate. Family members who accompany them abroad must also submit medical fitness certificates.