ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has expressed displeasure over Capital Development Authority (CDA)’s discriminatory and misogynist act of non-allotment of residential quarter to woman employee. CDA had taken plea that quarters could only be allotted to adult male working dhobis (washer men) as per past practice. President Alvi said that CDA had discriminated against female employee and upheld Wafaqi Mohtasib’s orders directing CDA to allot quarter to female employee.

While rejecting CDA’s representation against orders of Wafaqi Mohtasib, President said that most unfortunate part of CDA’s defence was that allotment could only be made to male and could not be made to female for same services. “This is highly discriminatory, CDA is directed to improve its rules that are ensuring such misogynist practices and send report to Wafaqi Mohtasib of same in 60 days,” he said.

President underscored that Pakistan could not progress if its female equal members of society were discriminated against in such manner. He said that it was against spirit of founders of Pakistan, fair practices of Islam and also Constitution. He directed CDA to comply with Wafaqi Mohtasib’s orders and redress grievance of complainant and if so requiredand seek approval of competent authority/forum without further loss of time. Shahnaz Begum (complainant) had alleged that her late husband was an ex-washer man attached with CDA and he had applied for allotment of Dhobi quarter.

She joined CDA as washerwoman, after death of her husband and made request for allotment of quarter, but CDA issued same to another employee who was junior to her in seniority list.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 28 2023

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