AS a law-abiding citizen, I was surprised to read in newspapers that 93pc of all jobs in the government sector are not given on merit. This is the franchise of the quota system. What kind of progress can we make when the sole criterion for appointment is the domicile while capable bright and learned youths are sidelined?

The corruption that we see and the wreckage of the tax structure are all offspring of such appointments. Is it difficult to understand what is going on? Instead of the educated and the enlightened, the government gives jobs to those chosen not by merit.

Imagine a country where only 7pc appointments are based on merit. Is there any hope for transition into a modern economic power?

DR QAZI AHMED KAMAL Karachi