APROPOS the letter ‘Civil service quota’ (Feb 17). The writer is against the quota system. In my opinion the quota system is neither discriminatory nor against basic human rights. The quota system was introduced in Pakistan to ensure equal opportunities for people all over the country.

In Pakistan, all federal jobs are distributed according to fixed quotas. Similar practices are followed in India and many other developing countries which do not have a uniform level of socio-economic development.

The education standards in Punjab are much better than those in less developed provinces. If people from Awaran district are forced to compete for jobs with the people of Lahore, it would certainly be unfair. Therefore a quota system ensures people from less developed districts can compete with the candidates from better off districts. The need for merit is often used as a plank to criticise the quota system and demand it be abolished.

In a country like Pakistan merit is nothing more than an illusion and often used to deprive people from under-privileged areas of their rights. It would only be fair to have a merit-based system when all 154 districts of Pakistan have the same level of education, which I don’t see happening in the near future.

As for the statement that the quota system promotes undeserving candidates to be selected for the bureaucracy, it is a biased and sweeping remark. The candidates selected on quotas also have to perform or else be left behind as the candidates selected on merit get promoted and move ahead.

The quota system is criticised for the wrong reasons. The problems lie in its implementation. People from developed areas often use their influence to get selected on the quotas reserved for under-developed areas.

Many candidates from less developed areas move to the developed parts of country to prepare for the competitive exam instead of studying in the less developed areas.

Another argument in support of the quota system lies within Punjab. The tribal population of this province is allowed to compete under the quota system.

The need is to plug all loopholes in the quota system and implement it in a transparent manner.

Shahzad Ghafoor Baluch
Turbat

Published in Dawn, February 21st, 2020