ISLAMABAD   -  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday adjourned hearing in a petition challenging quota system in federal services due to non-availability of Attorney General of Pakistan.

A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq conducted hearing of the petition filed by G. M. Chaudhry Advocate questioning the legality and constitutional status of the provincial regional quota. 

He also raised the question that there are so many districts of Pakistan wherefrom none is ever selected in the Civil Services of Pakistan due to poor conditions of education and only developed areas of the provinces are getting entire quota reserved for the province. 

During the hearing, the deputy attorney general appeared before the court and informed it that the AGP could not appear before the court in this matter due to his engagement in the Supreme Court. 

At this, Justice Farooq directed him to seek time from the AGP in this regard and apprise the same to the registrar. Then the bench deferred hearing in this petition with date in office. 

In his petition, the petitioner cited Prime Minister of Pakistan, Secretary Establishment Division, Secretary Law and Justice and Federal Public Service Commission through its Chairman as respondents. 

He stated that it is quite strange that except Sindh, there is no division on the basis of urban and rural in the Punjab, KP, Balochistan, NA/FATA and Azad Kashmir although the people belonging to rural areas of such provinces have no equal access to education and economic resources. 

He added that there are about 123 districts in four provinces but there are so many districts wherefrom none has been selected in any CSS Examination since establishment of 12 occupational groups. 

He requested the court that it may direct the respondent No. 4 (FPSC) for submission of a detailed report about district-wise allocation of vacancies from last five CSS Examinations to ascertain exact representation of districts in different occupational groups. 

He adopted that in this way the existing system about allocation of quota to the provinces and regions is highly exploitative and should be based on district allocation of vacancies to bring young generation of under-developed districts in national mainstream. 

Therefore, he prayed to the court the respondents be directed to allocate vacancies in the Service of Pakistan including the Central Superior Services of Pakistan based on the CSS Competitive Examination on district basis further dividing it on urban and rural basis on overall percentage of population of each and every district. 

He also prayed that the respondents be directed to notify allocation of vacancies in the Service of Pakistan including the Central Superior Services of Pakistan based on the CSS Competitive Examination on district basis further dividing it on urban and rural basis on overall percentage of population of each and every district.