In Pakistan, resident of Karachi (especially Muhajirs whatever language they speak and pre partition residents of Karachi) get discriminated in two ways (especially in federal government jobs, though in provincial government jobs too). Quota system and then at interview stage of those who qualify.
Pakistan quota system in federal government jobs demands that government jobs should be filled according to Quota in following way.
For every 100 jobs
Merit jobs: 10
Quota jobs: 90.
These 90 jobs are allocated as under:
Punjab: 50
Sindh (Urban – Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukker Cantonment area): 7.6
Sindh (Rural):11.4
NWFP: 11.5
FATA and NA: 4
Baluchistan: 3.5
Azad Kashmir: 2
Large population of Pakistanis are self-employed mostly in agriculture and do not compete in jobs neither are capable of competing, thus most government jobs get occupied by city dwellers. In Punjab, these jobs are mostly taken up by residents of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, and to extend Multan (though Multan get discriminated in interview and thus get negligible jobs). That means Rulers of Pakistan (residents of Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Gujranwala) gets most of 50 out of 90 quota jobs allocated for Punjab.
Since resident of these 4 cities hold majority of government high jobs (due to this unfair system) and thus interviewers position, they discriminate shamelessly during interview too, giving most of 10 percent merit jobs to resident of these 5 cities (Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi) discarding others in interview. Resident of these 4 cities also discriminate in government job interviews when selecting candidates from other provinces, preferring candidates of these 4 cities for jobs who apply for jobs on quota of other provinces too, especially from quota of Balochistan and to extend from Sindh (R and U),
Result is that most federal government jobs, probably over 70 percent jobs, are occupied by people from these 4 cities. Because of their position in government due to unfair quota system and discrimination in interview, people of these 4 cities also discriminate against anyone in any field who are not from these 4 cities (rather, upper Punjab).
Note: Comparing Karachi with Lahore: Even if there was no discrimination in interview ... situation is such that if there were 12 federal jobs to be filled using quota than regardless of who can come on merit, according to quota it is possible that there could be 7 candidates from Lahore who would get job (on quota of 50 out of 90 jobs) and 1 from Karachi (on quota of 7.6 out of 90 jobs).
Lahore: 7 jobs
Karachi: 1 job
That means, if I have 7 bright kids who have all chances to get job on merit than ... if I am from Lahore then all 7 would get job but if I am from Karachi then only 1 would get job (that also, if there was no discrimination in interview).
If I will have time, I would write discrimination that exists in other areas, including allocation of funds, education and health system, against residents of Karachi.
[Population of Karachi alone is more than these 4 Ruling cities (Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Gujranwala) of upper Punjab combined together, has more education, and contributes around 70 percent of federal tax collection, still ... Karachi + Hyderabad + Sukkar together have quota of 7.6 jobs only]
Saleem bhai,
Well said, couldn't put it better.
If the government does the following, then trust me MQM will be consigned to the rubbish tip of history.
1) Scrap the quaota system
2) Create a police force in Karachi, recruited from Karachiwalas.
3) Destroy the Pashtun land and transport mafia, carry out a city survey and build a mass transit system.
4) End discriminotory policies in recruitment at institututions such as PIA, Karachi port and Pakistan Steel mill.
But what is driving many Urdu-speakers towards the MQM, is the hopelessness in Karachi.
This is true story, a relative of my father came from America, and opened a factory in SITE in 1984. He was murdered in the riots of 85, where the Pakistan state did nothing to Muhajirs as they were butchered by in Aligarh, Aurangi and Banaras. He left a widow, and young children. Since then many more have died.
I accept MQM are goons, but when we have goonda raj in Pakistan, we need our own goondas.
If the above policies are implemented, then trust me Altaf and co will be history, and he will die in a council flat in London, unloved.
The Vulcan keeps saying I am on the pay of the MQM, and thats such a lie. My extended family are in the JI, with out giving names, were involved with Mawdudi when he was in Gurdaspur. A relative is now Ameer Jamiate islami. But the JI have failed to do anything for the Urdu-speakers, despite getting there votes for 30 years. What Mustafa Kamal has done in Karachi is truelly extraordinary.