Pakistan introduces merit-based rules for government employees seeking overseas postings

The federal government has launched a new merit-based policy for appointing government employees to Pakistan’s overseas trade missions. Issued by the Ministry of Commerce, the rules make written examinations, skill tests, and interviews mandatory for various roles, including Commercial Assistants, Drivers, Messenger-cum-Drivers, and Security Guards.

For the position of Commercial Assistant, the selection process will weigh written examinations at 60 percent, interviews at 30 percent, and past performance at 10 percent. The written test will be worth 70 marks, while a skill test will account for 30 marks. The Ministry of Commerce stated that candidates who score less than 50 percent on the examination will be deemed ineligible. All applicants must take these exams at the Pakistan Institute of Trade and Development (PITAD) in Islamabad. Those who succeed must complete a mandatory four-week training period before departing for their assignments.

Drivers and Messenger-cum-Drivers will be selected based on seniority and eligibility. To qualify, applicants must hold a driving license that is at least five years old. These candidates will also undergo skill assessments to test their ability to navigate using GPS and Google Maps.

The policy sets several service requirements, including a minimum of five years of continuous service within the Ministry of Commerce for all overseas applicants. The standard tenure for an overseas trade mission appointment is now fixed at three years. Employees returning from abroad must wait for a mandatory two-year gap before becoming eligible for another posting.

Certain employees are barred from further overseas assignments. Those who have already completed two overseas postings are ineligible for more. Additionally, anyone who has served continuously at the same trade mission for six years is barred from applying for another posting. The Ministry of Commerce also ruled that employees facing departmental proceedings, major penalties, or those with records of poor performance are ineligible.

All selected candidates must provide security clearance and medical fitness certificates. Furthermore, family members who accompany employees abroad are required to submit medical fitness certificates. The Ministry of Commerce said the new rules aim to ensure transparent, merit-based, and efficient appointments at Pakistan’s overseas trade missions.