BHC declares debarring women for ‘Tehsildar & Naib Tehsildar’ posts as illegal

BHC declares debarring women for ‘Tehsildar & Naib Tehsildar’ posts as illegal. Image: File

declare that if any rule and proviso exist that debarred female

candidates for applying for the post of ‘Tehsildar and Naib Tehsildar’ is void in the eyes of law. She also contended that the court may direct the provincial government to fix quota for female candidates in the said posts and allow female contestants to compete the same on merit as well.

“The logical reason for non-eligibility of female candidates for the post of Tehsildar does not attract a prudent mind for the simple reason that a number of females are working as Superintendent of Police, SHO, Assistant Commissioners, Judges, secretaries and ministers,” the petition further read.

After hearing both sides, BHC Judge Justice Hashim Khan Kakar ruled that the impugned condition is tantamount to discrimination which is not permissible under the constitution and goes against the constitutional mandate of equality and safeguarding against discrimination in service.

“Balochistan government should re-advertise the posts of ‘Tehsildar and Naib Tehseldar’ and ensure a five percent quota for female candidates only,” the verdict read adding besides the reserved quotas, female candidates are also eligible to participate on merit.

The vacancies reserved for the women for which qualified women candidates are not available shall be carried forward and filled by women later on.

The court in its detailed judgment also asked the government to take immediate steps to strengthen the office of the Commission on the Status of women in order to eliminate all forms of discrimination in the existing laws.