{"id":30318,"date":"2020-07-15T11:25:51","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T06:25:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/?p=30318"},"modified":"2020-07-15T11:25:51","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T06:25:51","slug":"in-conversation-with-muhammad-daud-saleemi-pas-2nd-in-pakistan-css-2019-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/magazine-archives\/in-conversation-with-muhammad-daud-saleemi-pas-2nd-in-pakistan-css-2019-20\/","title":{"rendered":"In Conversation with  Muhammad Daud Saleemi (PAS) 2nd in Pakistan, CSS 2019-20"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<\/h1>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_20191228_142748.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-30319\" src=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/IMG_20191228_142748.gif\" alt=\"IMG_20191228_142748\" width=\"2520\" height=\"5029\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><em>In Conversation with <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Muhammad Daud Saleemi (PAS)<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>2<sup>nd<\/sup> in Pakistan, CSS 2019-20<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Jahangir\u2019s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your <\/strong><strong>educational background?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>Muhammad Daud Saleemi (MDS): <\/strong><\/span>I have done my matriculation from a local school in Hafizabad and FSc (Pre-Engineering) from Government College University (GCU), Lahore, followed by a degree in BS Computer Engineering from University of Engineering &amp; Technology, Lahore.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: Since you have been allocated to Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS), what was the feature of this service that attracted you most?<a href=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-30321\" src=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position1-162x300.jpg\" alt=\"Interview2nd Position1\" width=\"162\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position1-162x300.jpg 162w, https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position1.jpg 463w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 162px) 100vw, 162px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MDS:<\/span> <\/strong>Versatility and cross functionality of PAS attracted me the most. This Service provides me with ample opportunities to contribute towards the betterment of society in a way that resonates with my strengths and interests, allowing a broader and holistic exposure<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: What, in your opinion, is the key to making a difference in written part of CSS exam?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>MDS: <\/strong><\/span>In my opinion, the key to success in this regard is in:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Providing critical analyses in all answers; articulating your own opinions therein<\/li>\n<li>Giving diverse examples in a question, i.e. from different domains and eras)<\/li>\n<li>Keeping pace with the developments happening in each subject\u2019s domain<\/li>\n<li>Having a grip on the glossary\/jargon of each subject<\/li>\n<li>Using visual tools, e.g. flowcharts, graphs, tables, to facilitate the examiner<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: How was your experience of preparing for CSS at the World Times Institute?<a href=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/52911291_2159572590786881_2009598383001436160_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-30320\" src=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/52911291_2159572590786881_2009598383001436160_n-168x300.jpg\" alt=\"52911291_2159572590786881_2009598383001436160_n\" width=\"168\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/52911291_2159572590786881_2009598383001436160_n-168x300.jpg 168w, https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/52911291_2159572590786881_2009598383001436160_n.jpg 539w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 168px) 100vw, 168px\" \/><\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>MDS: <\/strong><\/span>Written Mock Exams at WTI in the preceding months of the CSS Exam helped me refine my knowledge and perfect my paper-attempting techniques. A simulation of the real exam environment, relevant questions and competitive marking followed by honest feedback were some of the features of the mock exams that helped me score good marks in written part of CSS exam. \u00a0<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: Generally, compulsory subjects are considered low-scoring, what was your strategy to get through these very papers?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MDS:<\/span> <\/strong>It consisted of:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoiding clich\u00e9d arguments and using my own original thinking. As Robert Kennedy has said, \u201cInstead of seeing things as they are, and saying \u2018why?\u2019 dream things that never were and say, \u2018why not?\u2019\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Analyzing diverse perspectives of an issue in Current Affairs and Pakistan Affairs<\/li>\n<li>Quoting authentic sources, statistics and examples to complement my arguments, e.g. Constitution of Pakistan, etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: What was the key to your phenomenal success?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MDS:<\/span> <\/strong>\u201cWe are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.\u201d In light of this quote, I believe self-discipline and consistency were the two main factors behind my success.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: Should there be some word limit kept in mind while writing answers?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">MDS:<\/span> <\/strong>Time limit is the correct limit to be observed while attempting any paper. Divide your time equally amongst all questions, and then write with clarity and eloquence as much as you can in each answer within the allocated time.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: How did you structure your Essay?<a href=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position2.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-30322\" src=\"http:\/\/jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position2-300x256.jpg\" alt=\"Interview2nd Position2\" width=\"300\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position2-300x256.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position2-1024x873.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Interview2nd-Position2.jpg 1188w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>MDS: <\/strong><\/span>For Essay:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>I started the introduction with a rhetorical anecdote and a clear thesis statement.<\/li>\n<li>Provided a clear counter-perspective to my stance, after the introduction, to clarify the point of view of opposite school of thought<\/li>\n<li>Wrote 5-6 arguments in support of my claim (without any examples)<\/li>\n<li>Raised rhetorical questions at the end of various paragraphs<\/li>\n<li>Finally, I provided diverse case studies from different countries and historical eras separately after the arguments to complement my thesis.<\/li>\n<li>Conclusion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>JWT: How a new aspirant should start his\/her preparations for CSS exam, and what areas should (s)he focus? <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong>MDS: <\/strong><\/span>Prospective aspirants should start their preparations for CSS exam by first knowing themselves, i.e. a comprehensive self-introspection to determine one\u2019s own strengths and weaknesses, and then making a plan accordingly which leverages on the strengths and gradually overcomes the weaknesses.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My Tips: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Selection of optional subjects<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>I always suggest a 4-pronged criterion for the selection of optional subjects:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Academic background<\/li>\n<li>Aptitude<\/li>\n<li>Scope of the syllabus (width and depth keeping in mind the available time)<\/li>\n<li>Overlapping with other subjects<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Notes-making<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">For this, follow this approach:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Identify important distinct topics from the syllabus<\/li>\n<li>Identify the various dimensions of each topic from the past papers (Please keep in mind that there can be multiple distinct dimensions of a single topic)<\/li>\n<li>Make comprehensive notes which cover all the dimensions of that topic in detail<\/li>\n<li>Write in bullets, instead of paragraphs, in notes. Notes should be concise and to-the-point, occupying minimal space on paper.<\/li>\n<li>Use multiple colours to classify content into different categories depending upon each category\u2019s importance<\/li>\n<li>Utilize helping tools i.e. graphs, charts, tables, etc. in your notes<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Revision<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you have made your own notes, you have already memorized them in your subconscious. As the exam approaches near, shorten those notes further into one-pagers to optimize your revision time.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>My Interview Experience<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>There was detailed discussion on my optional subjects in which I had scored good marks (Political Science, Sociology)\u2014Questions on Proportional Representation, Philosophers, Separation of Powers, Karl Marx, etc.<\/li>\n<li>A very candid discussion on US History<\/li>\n<li>Discussion on Hindutva and Bangladesh<\/li>\n<li>A couple of tough questions related to my Command Task<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>All in all, it was a memorable experience for me. I felt that owing to a couple of unique points, I was able to distinguish myself and connect with the panellists and it helped me score good marks.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong>Sources I recommend<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Introduction to Islam by Dr. Hamidullah<\/li>\n<li>Political and Constitutional History of Pakistan by Hamid Khan<\/li>\n<li>Reports and Research Papers of reputed organizations like PILDAT, World Bank, UNDP, etc.<\/li>\n<li>Follow the writings of domestic and international experts of different fields (Babar Sattar for legal\/constitutional affairs, IA Rehman for human rights, Tariq Khosa for security issues, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Follow reputed domestic newspapers\/journals<\/li>\n<li>Follow reputed international newspapers\/journals<\/li>\n<li>Watch debates in reputed talk shows and make notes<\/li>\n<li>Make good use of technology and install useful applications in your mobile (Pocket, Anydo, applications of newspapers\/journals, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 In Conversation with Muhammad Daud Saleemi (PAS) 2nd in Pakistan, CSS 2019-20 Jahangir\u2019s World Times (JWT): First of all, please tell us about your educational background? Muhammad Daud Saleemi (MDS): I have done my matriculation from a local school in Hafizabad and FSc (Pre-Engineering) from Government College University (GCU), Lahore, followed by a degree &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":30323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[10955,5,8,10962,34],"tags":[2419,610,1161,10115,2541,537,3411,258,10271,8467,3790],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30318"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30318"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30318\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30324,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30318\/revisions\/30324"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30323"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30318"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30318"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jworldtimes.com\/old-site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30318"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}