Part 2
By: Azam Mairaj
On May 14, 2025, the final results of the CSS Special Exam 2023 were announced. According to the published results, four minority candidates have been selected for the Foreign Services of Pakistan—one Hindu and three Christians. Their merit positions among the 489 successful candidates are as follows:
1. J. Kumar – Merit Number 97
2. Aroosa Azam – Merit Number 104
3. Zeeshan Oliver Parvez – Merit Number 277
4. Efraheem Samroon – Merit Number 419
Since the creation of Pakistan, this might be the first or second time a Hindu candidate has been selected for the Foreign Office. However, Christians have a remarkable legacy of serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as career diplomats. Foremost among them is Samuel Martin Burke, who was not only one of the architects of Pakistan’s foreign policy but also contributed significantly to shaping its nuclear policy.
Following him, notable career diplomats included Samuel Joshua, who served as ambassador to various countries; Dilshad Najmuddin, who also held ambassadorial posts; and Colonel Tressler, who served as Chief of Protocol and even as an acting ambassador in one assignment. More recently, General (Retd.) Noel Israel Khokhar was Pakistan’s ambassador to Ukraine during the ongoing war. Marvin Alex Ashley, who passed the CSS exam in 2003 (before the quota system), is currently serving as a diplomat in Central Asia.
Post-2010, after the minority quota was introduced, two Christian candidates were selected for the Foreign Services:
Ammar Waseem (Merit 343 out of 368)
Rabel Kennedy (Merit 199 out of 365)
Additionally, Captain Neil Joshua joined the Foreign Services from the Pakistan Army quota.
These statistics reflect both the distinguished legacy of Christian diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the positive impact of the minority quota. From 1947 to 2004 (57 years), only three individuals from the Christian community were selected in this field. But from 2015 to 2023 (just 8 years), five Christians were selected—proving that the minority quota has been a great blessing, especially for Christians.
It is now earnestly requested of Christian religious, social, and political leaders to focus on investing in state power—one of the key sources of rights and resources, according to experts on power politics. These six sources are:
1. Physical
2. Financial
3. State-based (institutional)
4. Numerical (demographic strength)
5. Ideological
6. Traditional
Efforts should be focused on strengthening these areas. Religious leaders should initiate basic awareness classes in their educational institutions. Social and political leaders should help minority candidates who have cleared the MPT (MCQ-based Preliminary Test) by facilitating their admission into reputable CSS academies near their homes—without compromising their dignity—and providing them scholarships.
For scholarship distribution, it is suggested that funds be collected in the name of deserving students, but instead of giving discretionary power to pastors or fathers, community boards should be established at district or tehsil levels. These boards should be headed by young Christian bureaucrats and include aware and active community members. The core responsibility of these boards would be to ensure that only meritorious and genuinely needy candidates receive scholarships. These boards may also recommend deserving names to the wider public for support and facilitation.
Finally, a heartfelt message for the young individuals who have joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: The quota was your constitutional right, and combined with your hard work, it has opened the doors to a brilliant career. Now, make persistent effort and deep study your guiding principles. Broaden your reading, especially international literature related to your field. Follow in the footsteps of your illustrious predecessors and become a shining example for your community and your country.
To all minority youth aspiring for a career in civil services:
Do not rely solely on the benefits of the quota. Instead, aspire to follow those great individuals who succeeded on open merit and became eternal examples of excellence.
Best wishes and prayers for your future!
The purpose of documenting this research is to advance the message of “Integration through Identity for Development and Survival” as envisioned by Tehreek-e-Shanakht.
In the next part, we will briefly review the professional background of other Christian candidates selected in two additional CSS occupational groups.