This is a compilation of autobiographical notes and stories of an honest and dedicated civil servant who has served in the corridors of power for over 40 years. Besides giving interesting details of his school and college life, he has revealed several startling incidents in crucial decision-making process. He has unfolded many amazing incidents which took place during his travels within and outside Pakistan.

The book negates the public impression that civil servants enjoy boundless powers and privileges and spend carefree attractive lives. It narrates the hard fact that a patriotic, hardworking and honest civil servant has to face tremendous challenges in the disposal of his duties. He has to be vigilant and proactive in performing his job efficiently and diligently in the best interest of the country.

The autobiography carries a message that the civil servants should always be subservient to the state and not to the rulers.

The work was earlier published in Urdu and two of its editions have been sold out.

It is a must-read for students aspiring for a career in public service, policy practitioners, management professionals and also the concerned citizens of Pakistan.

About the Author:

Syed Irtiqa Ahmed Zaidi is the only civil servant from Balochistan who has worked in the Government of Balochistan and the Federal Government for over 40 years. He has also served as a consultant in CIDA, UNDP and ADB. For three years he was Pakistan’s focal person for Asia Trust Fund of European Union/International Trade Centre, Geneva. He remained project director of World Bank-funded Trade and Transport Facilitation Project for seven years. He also headed UNDP-funded Trade Initiative from Human Development Perspective Project. As a senior member of Pakistan’s team, he participated in all eight rounds of negotiations held at Kabul and Islamabad during 2009-10 between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA).

Zaidi was elected executive director of UNCTAD’s Common Fund for Commodity. He was elected secretary-general of Society of Pakistan Economists and elected vice president of Netherlands Alumni Association of Pakistan. He is Overseas Fellow of Economics Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank. He has also represented the Government of Pakistan in several international seminars and conferences in 22 countries.