Apropos the letter ‘Sindh:quota system’ by S. Atiq ul Hassan ( Sept 15 ). I do not believe that incompetence, nepotism, discrimination, divisions and corruption are due to the quota system in Sindh.

‘Quota’ means giving representation in government jobs according to the population ratio; with subtext to reserve some seats for minorities and the disadvantaged to elevate them to better and dignified life.

In Sindh, this quota system is further divided into the rural and the urban, thereby distributing the vacant seats, admissions to educational institutions and the award of scholarships, etc.

This system is neither discriminatory nor divisive and all communities living in rural areas share the fruits of this quota system, and so do the urban. All are the beneficiaries, none is the victim.

This system does not negate talent and transparency, There is a tough competition and rural candidates and students compete with the rural, whereas urban applicants and students have their competitors from urban areas.

The federal recruitment body, the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC), known for its neutrality and transparency, selects the civil bureauracy through CSS, while maintaining a strict quota system for the provinces.

More importantly, our neighbour country, India, also maintains a quota system that reserves nearly half of government jobs and public college slots for those who come from disadvantaged castes and tribes. It is based on legal, just and humanitarian considerations.

Nazeer Ahmed Arijo

Larkana

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2015

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