News Desk
Karachi:
In a significant achievement for minority representation in Pakistan, Aroosa Azam, a young woman from Karachi’s Christian community, has secured a position in the Foreign Service of Pakistan through the Special CSS Examination. Her journey—marked by perseverance, quiet determination, and unyielding faith—has emerged as a powerful source of inspiration for marginalized communities across the country.
Born and raised in Karachi, Aroosa received her early education at a Convent School, where she was known for her academic excellence and active participation in extracurricular activities. From a young age, she displayed leadership qualities, often stepping onto stages for debates, presentations, and performances. Her early interests in science led her to pursue engineering, but it was during a Model United Nations (MUN) event in college that she discovered her passion for diplomacy. Representing Colombia on the topic of women’s rights, she won the Best Delegate Award among 100 participants—despite being a first-time delegate. That experience shifted her ambitions toward civil service and global affairs.
Encouraged by her father, Aroosa attempted the Central Superior Services (CSS) exam for the first time in 2018 with only two and a half months of preparation. She did not pass. Her second attempt in 2020 also ended in failure, which marked a particularly low point in her journey. Determined to try once more, she sat for the 2023 exam. While she passed by aggregate, she fell short in one subject by 19 marks.
In 2020, the federal government, under then-Prime Minister Imran Khan and senior official Shahzad Arbab, announced a Special CSS Examination to fill long-vacant seats reserved for minorities. After two years, the special exam was finally implemented, offering Aroosa one more opportunity.
She dedicated herself fully to the preparation and simultaneously relied on prayer and inner resolve. After taking the special exam, she returned to her routine life and resumed work as a cybersecurity engineer—unaware that within 13 months, her life would change dramatically. When the results were released, she had passed.
Aroosa resigned from her job to prepare for the final interview round. She approached the panel with confidence, clarity, and the strength born from years of persistence. On May 14, 2025, she was officially selected for the Foreign Service of Pakistan. The seat she filled had remained unclaimed for eight years.
“If not for me, someone else would have taken it. The delay was worth it,” she said, reflecting on her journey.
Today, Aroosa Azam stands as a symbol of hope and determination for Pakistan’s Christian youth and other marginalized groups. Her story underscores the transformative power of consistent effort, belief in one’s purpose, and the importance of inclusive opportunities in national institutions.
As she prepares to represent Pakistan on international platforms, her achievement is being celebrated not just by her community, but by all who believe in a more inclusive and representative civil service.