Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti

civil servant and CSS topper

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti is a civil servant who topped the CSS exam and was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan. He completed a bachelor's in economics and business economics at Utrecht University and did an MPhil in development studies at Cambridge. He is described as AC Islamabad and says he is now in Islamabad.

Early life and background

Bhatti is also named as Awaid Irshad Bhatti. He has three older brothers and one younger sister. One of his brothers is an advisor to the Governor of New York. His father wanted a child of the family to attend Aitchison College, and his father loved travel from his childhood. [1]

Education

Bhatti studied at Aitchison College and said he loved his time there. He received 11 A grades in his O Level exams. He went abroad to study at about age 17 or 18. He said a 150% scholarship covered his living and food costs. [1]

Bhatti completed a bachelor's in economics and business economics at Utrecht University, near Amsterdam. While studying in Holland he transferred to UC Berkeley in California, where he spent about a year, and his degree was completed at Utrecht. He says the American system lets students take and audit courses across many subjects. At Berkeley he took courses across subjects and later studied development economics for a master's. Berkeley had offered him a master's programme. [1]

Bhatti applied to Cambridge, which he regarded as a dream university. He did an MPhil in development studies at Cambridge. While there he played cricket, rowed and played football. [1]

Career

Bhatti had wanted to work for NGOs abroad. He had thought of working in a foreign government and applied for that. His focus moved toward public policy, and gradually his life moved toward the CSS. He says his year at Berkeley may be part of the reason he is in the civil service today. [1]

Bhatti worked at Ernst & Young, which he described as one of the Big Four firms. He took the job as a backup for the CSS exam, to gain work experience. The company's policy required exams to be finished within the first three months, and he cleared seven of the 11 exams. He decided to sit the CSS exam while working at Ernst & Young. He says a backup plan is essential for anyone attempting the CSS exam. [1]

Civil service

His father had long wanted someone in the family to take the CSS, but at that point did not want him to. His brothers gave him strong support. His father told him to think carefully, calling it a difficult decision. [1]

Bhatti had to pay a considerable amount to leave midway, and he returned the savings he had. He felt his impact was very small and that he was highly replaceable. He wanted work that would create a positive impact on society. [1]

Bhatti says he has travelled most of Balochistan. He says he has taught CSS to between 500 and 1,000 students from Balochistan. [1]

Kuchlak

Bhatti was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Kuchlak, which is part of Quetta. He was the first Assistant Commissioner ever posted to Kuchlak. He says Kuchlak, with a population of about 500,000, had no library. With help from Akhuwat Foundation, a library was set up. He says his team built five water filtration plants in about six months. [1]

Bhatti says there was no ownership and no sustainability plan, so before his transfer to Islamabad he set up sustainability committees. Local people held a rally asking that the Assistant Commissioner not be allowed to leave. He says his time in Quetta was very memorable and he still has many friends there. [1]

Views

Bhatti describes an Assistant Commissioner as a servant of the people. He says civil servants should be empowered so that they can do their work. He says that in developed countries the best talent goes into business. He says about two of the ten daily tasks of an Assistant Commissioner involve politicization. [1]

He says change can be made one step at a time and cannot happen all at once. He says that where people did not know what an Assistant Commissioner was, the Assistant Commissioner is now a ray of hope for them. Bhatti believes the system will evolve if officials keep working, and that it will change. He says today's young civil servants have far more global knowledge than earlier generations, and he describes his generation as dynamic and open to change. [1]

Bhatti says that when he was in Quetta he chose to appreciate Quetta and look at its pros rather than its cons. He says he was only looking at the next step, and when that step came he moved on to the one after. [1]

Personal life

Bhatti recently had a son. He enjoys playing the guitar. He has seen most cities in Pakistan, from rural Balochistan to the mountains of Hunza. He stayed in student hostels rather than hotels when travelling, and he says he has learned a great deal in his life from travelling. [1]

Timeline

2017
Bhatti was 24 years old.[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2021-05-10 On civil service, Balochistan, and building a life worth living: a conversation with Awaid Bhatti Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti is a civil servant who topped the CSS exam. He was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan and is described as AC Islamabad.[1]

What does Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti do?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti is a civil servant. He has served as an Assistant Commissioner, including in Kuchlak, which is part of Quetta, and he says he is now in Islamabad.[1]

Where did Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti study?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti studied at Aitchison College. He completed a bachelor's in economics and business economics at Utrecht University and spent about a year at UC Berkeley. He later did an MPhil in development studies at Cambridge.[1]

What is Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti known for?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti topped the CSS exam. He was the first Assistant Commissioner ever posted to Kuchlak, where he says his team built five water filtration plants in about six months.[1]

What did Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti study at Cambridge?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti did an MPhil in development studies at Cambridge. While there he played cricket, rowed and played football.[1]

Why did Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti work at Ernst & Young?

Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti took the job at Ernst & Young as a backup for the CSS exam, to gain work experience. He described the firm as one of the Big Four.[1]

Where was Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti posted?

After training, Muhammad Awaid Irshad Bhatti was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan. He was posted in Kuchlak, which is part of Quetta, and he says Gwadar was the posting where he learned and grew the most.[1]

References

  1. On civil service, Balochistan, and building a life worth living: a conversation with Awaid Bhatti . Thought Behind Things , 2021-05-10.
Show the source passages (76 statements)
  1. He is described as AC Islamabad. In conversation with AC Islamabad, Awaid Irshad Bhatti, this episode explores his journey to civil services.
  2. He is also named as Awaid Irshad Bhatti. In conversation with AC Islamabad, Awaid Irshad Bhatti
  3. He received 11 A grades in his O Level exams. O Levels went very well. I got 11 A's out of 11.
  4. His father wanted a child of the family to attend Aitchison College. my father, mere abu hamesha se chahte the ki jo hai na koi bacha Aitchison College ke andar jaye
  5. He studied at Aitchison College and said he loved his time there. I loved my time there. Aitchison College has been amazing
  6. He completed a bachelor's in economics and business economics at Utrecht University, near Amsterdam. I did my bachelors in economics aur business economics. Utrecht University hai udhar, closer to Amsterdam.
  7. He went abroad to study at about age 17 or 18. I went abroad at the age of 18, 17.
  8. He said a 150% scholarship covered his living and food costs. I got 150% scholarship. Actually jo hai na unhone rehne ka bhi, rehne ka bhi kharcha unhone bhara, khane ka bhi kharcha unhone bhara
  9. He transferred to UC Berkeley in California while studying in Holland. So I transfer I transferred while you were in Holland. Bilkul bilkul. Udhar jo hai UC Berkeley California.
  10. He spent about a year at UC Berkeley, and his degree was completed at Utrecht. jo parent university thi woh Utrecht thi, uske baad jo hai na I spent a year almost jo hai na in Berkeley aur jo hai na phir graduation Utrecht ke andar hi aake hui
  11. He says the American system lets students take and audit courses across many subjects. America ka system yeh hai ki aap har qisam ka course lete hain, audit karte hain
  12. At Berkeley he took courses across subjects and later studied development economics for a master's. Har qisam ke maine courses liye aur phir uske baad main development economics jo hai jisme maine eventually masters kiya
  13. He says his year at Berkeley may be part of the reason he is in the civil service today. Toh that one year in Berkeley, shayad uski wajah se aaj jo hai woh civil service ke andar baitha hoon.
  14. Berkeley had offered him a master's programme. Berkeley ne mujhe masters offer bhi kar diya tha
  15. He applied to Cambridge, which he regarded as a dream university. Toh Cambridge University ek dream university thi mere liye, Cambridge, Oxford jo hai na toh maine apply kar diya
  16. He did an MPhil in development studies at Cambridge. Yaar Cambridge mein I did my MPhil in development studies, development economics
  17. At Cambridge he played cricket, rowed and played football. Cambridge mein bhi isi tarah hi maine cricket khela tha aur rowing ki, baaki football khela
  18. His focus moved toward public policy, and gradually his life moved toward the CSS. mera focus ab public policy ki taraf hota ja raha tha. Toh ahista ahista CSS ki taraf zindagi jaati ja rahi thi
  19. He had wanted to work for NGOs abroad. I wanted to actually work for the jo hai NGOs abroad
  20. He had thought of working in a foreign government and applied for that. Aur maine pehle socha tha ki bahar ki government mein in cheezon mein bhi kaam kiya ja sakta hai. I applied for that.
  21. He worked at Ernst & Young, which he described as one of the Big Four firms. Ernst & Young was one of the big fours aur one of the best
  22. He took the job at Ernst & Young as a backup for the CSS exam, to gain work experience. apne backup create karne ke liye apna kaam karne ke liye taaki mere paas ek job experience ho, meri CV ke andar ho
  23. The company's policy required exams to be finished within the first three months. company ki policy yeh thi ki jo hai na aapne pehle teen mahine mein exams khatam karne hain
  24. He cleared seven of the 11 exams. Yaar maine 11 mein se saat exams clear kar liye the
  25. He decided to sit the CSS exam while working at Ernst & Young. at that time I knew ki CSS karna hai aur CSS decide ho raha tha
  26. He says a backup plan is essential for anyone attempting the CSS exam. CSS ek aisa exam hai jiske liye aapko backup honi bahut zyada zaroori hai
  27. His father had long wanted someone in the family to take the CSS, but at that point did not want him to. mere abu ko bahut shauk tha ki CSS koi kare aur khandan mein ho but at this particular point woh chaah rahe the ki main na ho
  28. His brothers gave him strong support. Yaar yeh mere bhaiyon ki badi support thi
  29. His father told him to think carefully, calling it a difficult decision. Abbu ne bhi yahi kaha ke soch lo jo hai na yeh mushkil decision hai
  30. He had to pay a considerable amount to leave midway, and he returned the savings he had. beech mein chhod ke jaane ke upar mujhe kaafi kuch pay karna pada aur jitni savings thi woh maine wapas kar di
  31. He felt his impact was very small and that he was highly replaceable. Mera impact bahut kam hai aur main bahut zyada replaceable hoon.
  32. He wanted work that would create a positive impact on society. Main chahta tha koi aisa kaam karoon jisse koi impact create ho
  33. He was 24 years old in 2017. So it was in 2017. In 2017 I was 24.
  34. He topped the CSS exam. Na main unhe bata sakta tha ke mera CSS top kar liya hai
  35. A court stay order delayed the release of his result. court ki ek stay order aa gaya jiski wajah se hamara result delay ho gaya unnecessarily
  36. He says his result came out as soon as his flight left Pakistan. the moment I flew from Pakistan jaise jo hai jahaz uda to phir result aa gaya
  37. News channels began interviewing him. News channels ke interview shuru ho gaye, Jio, ARY
  38. Many academies asked him to come back. bahut saari academies ne mujhe kaha ke aap wapas aa jaye
  39. After training he was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Balochistan. Achha training ke baad as Assistant Commissioner main posted I was posted in Balochistan.
  40. He says top candidates are automatically posted to Balochistan at the start of their service. kyunke jo toppers hote hain woh automatically Balochistan jate hain
  41. He says Balochistan is a hard posting area, but his experience there was very good. Balochistan obviously ek mushkil area consider hota hai, hard area consider hota hai but bahut acha experience raha mera.
  42. He says Gwadar was the posting where he learned and grew the most. jahan maine seekha jahan maine grow kiya aur woh Gawadar ki thi aur Gawadar was a wonderful experience
  43. He was the first Assistant Commissioner ever posted to Kuchlak. Aur Kutchlak I was the first ever Assistant Commissioner to be posted in that area
  44. He was posted as an Assistant Commissioner in Kuchlak, which is part of Quetta. I was posted um as Assistant Commissioner in Kutchlak. Kutchlak is a part of Quetta.
  45. He says Kuchlak, with a population of about 500,000, had no library. Kutchlak ke andar 5 lakh abadi mein koi library nahi thi
  46. With help from Akhuwat Foundation, a library was set up. Akhuwat Foundation ke uh help se uh jo hai na usko ek library convert kiya
  47. He says his team built five water filtration plants in about six months. us 6 mahine mein humne 5 filtration plants bana diye
  48. He says there was no ownership and no sustainability plan, so before his transfer to Islamabad he set up sustainability committees. there was no ownership, there was no sustainability plan ke kis tarah chalega to maine jaane se pehle jab mera Islamabad transfer hua to bithaya sustainability committees banayin
  49. Local people held a rally asking that the Assistant Commissioner not be allowed to leave. udhar ke logon ne ek rally nikali rokne ke liye ke AC sahab ko nahi jaane dena humne
  50. He says his time in Quetta was very memorable and he still has many friends there. So my time in Quetta was uh very memorable aur abhi bhi mere itne zyada dost hain
  51. He says he has travelled most of Balochistan. I have traveled most of Balochistan
  52. He says he has taught CSS to between 500 and 1,000 students from Balochistan. maine uh almost jo hai 500 se 1000 Balochistan ke students hain jinko jo hai maine CSS ke seminars in one way or the other diye, CSS padhaya
  53. He says he is now in Islamabad. abhi Islamabad ke andar main ek naali, ek school, ek haspatal
  54. He says that in developed countries the best talent goes into business. kisi bhi duniya ke developed mulk ke andar jo best talent hota hai woh businesses mein jaata hai
  55. He says civil servants should be empowered so that they can do their work. civil servants ko humein actually empower karna hai ke woh kaam kar sakein
  56. He says about two of the ten daily tasks of an Assistant Commissioner involve politicization. ek assistant commissioner ke paas 10 kaam aate hain, usmein se do mein politicization hoti hai
  57. He says change can be made one step at a time and cannot happen all at once. Hum ek ek step hi leke kar sakte hain, hum aate hi badal nahi sakte
  58. He says that where people did not know what an Assistant Commissioner was, the Assistant Commissioner is now a ray of hope for them. jahan unko pata hi nahi hai assistant commissioner kya hai aur ab jo hai unke liye ek ray of hope hi assistant commissioner hai
  59. He believes the system will evolve if officials keep working, and that it will change. agar hum kaam karte rahenge toh system evolve karega aur inshaAllah zaroor badlega
  60. He describes an Assistant Commissioner as a servant of the people. Toh assistant commissioner is a servant of the people jismein unka kaam karna hai
  61. He says today's young civil servants have far more global knowledge than earlier generations. aaj ka jo young civil servant hai uske paas poori duniya ki knowledge hai jo shayad jo hai hamare 20, 25, 30 saal pehle nahi thi
  62. He describes his generation as dynamic and open to change. Hamari generation ek aisi dynamic generation generally consider ki jaati hai jisko hamesha change ka shauk hai
  63. He says citizens can vote out a government they dislike, and that this is how democracies improve. agar humein government ke saath issue hota hai toh hum sochte hain agli government mein hum isko we can vote it out
  64. He says youth in Pakistan is becoming more empowered. youth jo hai hamara empower ho raha hai
  65. He expects Pakistan to move toward stability by 2050 and sees a bright future. 2050 tak cheezein jo hai na woh upar neeche upar neeche ho ke ek stability ki taraf jayengi and I think we have a bright future inshaAllah
  66. He describes himself as a very optimistic person. I for one am a very optimistic person
  67. He says that when he was in Quetta he chose to appreciate Quetta and look at its pros rather than its cons. Jab main Quetta tha toh Quetta ko appreciate karein, uske pros dekhein rather than uske cons dekhne ke
  68. He recently had a son. mera recently I just had a son and I was talking to my wife
  69. He enjoys playing the guitar. mujhe traveling ka shauk tha aur guitar bajane ka shauk hai
  70. He has three older brothers and one younger sister. mere teen bade bhai hain, ek choti behen hai
  71. One of his brothers is an advisor to the Governor of New York. one of my brother is the advisor to Governor of New York
  72. His father loved travel from his childhood. Bachpan se abu ko bahut shauk tha traveling ka
  73. He has seen most cities in Pakistan, from rural Balochistan to the mountains of Hunza. maine I've seen most of the cities of Pakistan aur Balochistan ke rural tareen areas se lekar Hunza ke pahadon tak
  74. He stayed in student hostels rather than hotels when travelling. I used to go to student hostels. Main jaan ke hotels mein nahi rehta tha.
  75. He says he has learned a great deal in his life from travelling. Main sochta hoon ki meri zindagi ke andar maine itna kuch seekha hai sirf traveling se
  76. He says he was only looking at the next step, and when that step came he moved on to the one after. To main to sirf agle step tak dekh raha tha woh agla step aata tha to agle pe jate the