“Failure is a step towards success,” says Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat, a Pakistani civil servant (PAS) officer who previously served as Deputy Commissioner Islamabad. His journey is a remarkable story of resilience, determination, and faith for anyone aspiring to serve in the civil services.
Early Struggles and Setbacks
Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat faced numerous challenges in his academic and professional life. In 1985, he failed the admission test at Crescent Model School Lahore. Later, he was unsuccessful in the entrance tests for PAF College and Cadet College Hasan Abdal in 1993, and the interview for Military College in 1994.
During his O Levels from 1994 to 1997, he consistently ranked last in his class. In 2003, he could not secure admission to UET and missed the ISSB tests. He also did not get his preferred department at NUST that year.
His professional journey had similar setbacks. He was rejected in the Proctor and Gamble test and failed the Income Tax Officer exam in 2004. He attempted the CSS exam in 2003 and the PMS exam in 2004 but did not succeed. He applied for nine different jobs without receiving a single interview call and was never called for the Chevening Scholarship in 2009.
Even in his early civil service postings, people doubted his potential. He was told he would never head a district and was initially posted as Deputy Commissioner during elections, as no one else was willing to take him. He was not among the top-ranked officers and barely secured the last available option.
Turning Failures into Success
Reflecting on his journey, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat shares,
“Now that I connect the dots, each failure led me towards my success. Shuker Alhamdolillah. I thank Allah for teaching me, training me, and guiding me through all the failures. Never let yourself be discouraged by setbacks. Each failure can lead to a better place and open new doors. Have faith, be thankful, and trust Allah. When you remember Allah, Allah will remember you. With good intentions, the results will always follow.”
Key Takeaways from His Journey
- Persistence is more important than early success.
- Failures are stepping stones to greater achievements.
- Faith and gratitude play a crucial role in overcoming challenges.
- Success is often the result of learning from repeated setbacks.
CSP Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat’s story inspires thousands of young Pakistanis, showing that determination, patience, and trust in Allah can transform repeated failures into remarkable success.
