Ethical Perspective on

Quota System in Pakistan

Presented by:
Qasim Raza
Syed Paymaan
Muhammad Usama
Arsalan Akram
Usama Tariq Khan
 AGENDA
 Introduction
 The Deontological Perspective
 The Teleological Perspective
 The Human Nature Perspective
 Conclusion
 Introduction
 Quota system
 Background
Women’s representation, 1956
Part of 1973 constitution
 Introduction(cont..)
 Types of quota system
Gender
Regional
Religion
Physical disability
Deontological
Perspective
Kant’s Categorical Imperative
Universality of Maxims:
Any ethnic or gender biased division is non-
universalizable
Formula of End:
All applicants to any position should be
treated as end and thus be treated equally
Autonomous Legislation:
Any maxim autonomously made would
always be completely unbiased
Contemporary Deontological View

Kamm’s Nagel’s Scanlon’s idea

Principle of Motivated of duty as
Permissible desire theory rational
Harm Any system of individuals
Provides some division Merit should be
room for quota completely the only
system rejected criterion
 Summary of Deontological View
One cannot make any maxim by any rational
argument which would allow for quota
system.

Merit
Punjab
Sindh
Balochistan
KPK
Teleological Perspective
Province based
 In our case, assign seats/quota to
relatively underdeveloped provinces
(Balochistan) because they have less
facilities to bring themselves up to the
level of others
 General good: Peace between provinces
 Example: Seats for backwards areas in
medical tests
Gender based
 Assign seats/quota to girls
 General good: In our culture, females
want to be treated from females. Lack of
lady doctors may pose a problem
 Example: Again in medical exams, there
WAS a quota. Also present in many other
educational institutions.
Summary
 Quota is fair because some people are
more privileged than others in terms of
money and facilities.

 So a consequentialist may argue that

quota system should be implemented due
to this reason.
Human Nature Perspective
Aristotle: A holistic approach
 Man is a rational animal
 We want happiness and we get happiness
by being rational
 Moderation and harmony is the most
rational decision
Quota System and Human Nature
 Quota system maximizes moderation and
harmony
 The whole is more than some of the part;
quota systems aims to benefit the
community at the cost of some individuals
Summary of Human Nature
 Some people might argue that quota
system does not count inherit worth or
value of individuals
 Its not a step backward but a step
forward to create equality in the society
in future
Conclusion
 Conclusion

Deontology Teleology Human Nature

• No Maxim can • In Pakistan’s • We can achieve
be made to context, quota harmony using
justify quota could be a quota system
system justified • Everybody has
• Equal • Open merit a place in the
opportunities may not be that society
to all ‘open’