Women administrative officials prove their mettle

Around seven assistant commissioners and magistrates work long hours to solve public grievances

PESHAWAR: For the small cohort of seven women government officers, it is not only daunting to prove themselves against their  male colleagues but also to go out and prove themselves in the heavily male-dominated society of Peshawar.

They say women have to prove themselves twice, and the seven women government officials seem to have done that and more and are gradually being accepted as well.

“We have seen the satisfaction on faces of the public for the action we took on their behalf and safeguarded their rights. This feeling is our reward while the public’s good wishes for us always soothe our minds,” says Peshawar Assistant Commissioner Tabinda Tariq, who is responsible for the Lahor and Razzar Tehsils of Swabi district while talking to The Express Tribune in a special forum.

She is one of the seven women civil servants who have achieved all their marked targets in the province regarding recovery of outstanding utility bills, redressing complaints in their respective circles or recovering public land from encroachment.

Women officer marking their presence

There are as many as seven women officers who are currently working in various administrative areas of the province who are making a name for themselves for being proactive and more effective than some of their male counterparts.

"Women officers are always in the limelight, whether they are working against encroachment, collecting pending utility bills, or taking action against any illegality, they also provide a conducive environment to people of different genders," Siraj Ahmed, a retired bureaucrat from Swabi told The Express Tribune during a telephone call.

Assistant Commissioner (AC) Sara Rehman, UT AC Maira, AC Sehrish, PDA AC Sara Umer Tawab and AC Tariq demonstrated their commitment to providing relief to the public in the recently concluded holy month of Ramazan.

Tariq stated that working in the urban areas of the provincial capital was relatively easier than in the rural peripheries or in fully rural areas such as Swabi which are highly male-dominated.

Talking about her routine, Tabinda says they have to work for long hours to ensure they are present at the right spot at the right time to adequately perform their duties.

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"Early in the morning, before dawn, you have to make sure you are present in the fruit markets, and then, a little later, in the vegetable markets [to ensure that prices are regulated within the acceptable price brackets set by the government],” she said, adding that giving relief to the public within her assigned area brings her much satisfaction.

Commenting on her work in the Cantonment areas, Cantonment Magistrate Quratulain Ghain told The Express Tribune that it was quite challenging in nature, but that they do it in the greater interest of the public.

"Vacating a railway track which has been under illegal occupation of land grabbers and mafia in various districts for the past 70 years, checking editable items for public safety and addressing public grievances, is an uphill task, but we witness such courage in women ACs who carry out their duties more technically than our respected male coworkers," Ghain noted.

Working Eid for female administrators

Assistant commissioners are humans too and like others, they too enjoy spending religious festivals with their loved ones.

Tariq noted that she had purchased a dress and other items for Eidul Fitr, but unlike many others, her Eid was spent amongst her colleagues in her designated area

“They are more of a family for me,” Tariq stated.

The cantonment magistrate stated that she hardly broke her fast with her family due to her hectic schedule.

“I usually reach home late, even in Ramazan, because I spent most of my time in the markets [checking the quality of products –edible or otherwise - being supplied] for ensuring public safety,” Ghain noted.

She added that on Eid, she continued to work with district administrators throughout the Eid day to ensure the public could enjoy the festive occasion in safety.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2019.