DAWN
the INTERNET
EDITION

MQM condemns extension in quota system

By Our Reporter

KARACHI, June 6: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement said on Sunday that the Bill passed in the Senate for extending the quota system was aimed at undermining the evolving unity among the people, particularly of Sindh.

Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club, Senator Aftab Shaikh, deputy convener of the MQM, said his party had rejected the quota system because it was violative of Islamic principles, fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution, and the verdict given by the Federal Shariat Court, and the Sindh High Court.

He said the passage of the bill was a conspiracy to sabotage the understanding being evolved in Sindh, an indirect reference to improved working relationship with the PPP.

Narrating the historical background of constitutional cover for the quota system, Senator Shaikh expressed surprise that the Pakistan Muslim League government had owned the draft bill, with certain amendments, which was presented in the Senate by the caretaker government in 1993 as 13th amendment. Despite the fact that the Pakistan Muslim League had itself introduced its bill in the National Assembly as 16th amendment on Jan 7, 1999, the bill was referred to the committee and since then had neither been approved by the lower house, nor introduced in the Senate.

He claimed that the regime deliberately did so to undermine the evolving understanding between Pakistan People's Party and the MQM on issue to issue basis.

Senator Shaikh said the constitutional cover to quota system had expired in 1993 and by getting this bill passed in the Senate, the government wanted to get blanket approval for all the appointments made since then, in retrospective effect.

The bill extends the quota system for another 20 years from 1993.

He said the quota system would kill efficiency and further extension would affect the young generation. Senator Shaikh said the MQM was also opposed to the black law because the parliament could not frame any law which was in conflict with the fundamental rights.

He alleged that Nawaz Sharif was exploiting religion for getting political mileage.

He said the government would not succeed in its objective of dividing the people of Sindh and undermining the continuing dialogue between political forces of Sindh.

He hoped the people of Sindh would "see through this conspiracy of divide and rule".