SHC seeks details of women development dept’s programmes

Orders came during hearing of a petition against harassment

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed on Monday the advocate-general to submit a report regarding allocation of budget and programmes launched by the women development department.

A single bench, headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, sought these details while hearing a petition against harassment. The petitioner, Nighat Dakhan, had sought protection against harassment. The court had issued a show-cause notice to the provincial chief secretary, directing him to explain what measures were being adopted for protection of women rights and ending harassment.

On Monday, chief secretary Muhammad Siddique Memon submitted through advocate-general Zamir Ghumro that within three months, the women development department is going to set up a powerful commission under the Status of Women Act, 2015.

He said that the nominations have also been invited through media for the posts of chairperson and 21 members of the women rights body. The relevant deputy commissioners will head these centres, Ghumro said, adding that the government has provided funds to the authorities for the establishment of these centres. The provincial law officer undertook before the judges that serious action will be taken against honour killing.

Taking Memon’s statement on record, the bench vacated the show-cause notice issued to him. Fixing the matter after 15 days, the bench exempted the secretary, the commissioners and deputy commissioners from personal appearance till further orders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2016.