In an apparent reference to India, the Foreign Office, in observations made for the approval of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, has sought additional posts for the Foreign Service of Pakistan besides opening some new missions abroad to meet the challenges.

The Ministry informed Aziz that some of the regional countries have 25-30 per cent more diplomats in their missions as compared with Pakistani missions.

The strength of the advanced countries in their foreign missions is said to be much higher, The News said in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The Foreign Ministry wants its missions' strength to be brought at par with such regional countries.

The ministry argued that in view of the workload faced by the country's missions abroad, it is imperative not only to increase the strength of career diplomats but also of the supporting staff.

The summary is presently under review by the Finance Ministry that does not find the Foreign Ministry's proposal convincing enough to be given a serious thought, the newspaper quoted officials as saying.

The Foreign Ministry reportedly sent a note without making clear recommendations as to how many posts are required to be created and at what levels and for which missions, wants the strength of its diplomats to be increased to the level of other countries in the region.

The summary seeks the upward review of the Foreign Service of Pakistan's cadre. It highlighted that the foreign missions and the FSP had faced a slashing during the early years of President Pervez Musharraf's rule and a number of posts were abolished both at home and abroad.

The downsizing, it said, resulted in an extra load of work on the remaining missions' officers and staff.

Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan and Special Secretary Sher Afgan are serving on re-employment contracts.