ISLAMABAD:
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has set aside the orders of the Punjab government and ruled that women have the right to be appointed as permanent hangmen.
“This Court cannot remain ignorant of the contemporary constitutional ethos of equality, inclusion and fair participation of women in public life. No provision of law has been shown to deny a woman the right to hold the office of Lumberdar,” a seven-page order authored by LHC Justice Raheel Kamran said while allowing a woman petitioner against the Lodh Commission’s plea. appointment of another person as permanent forester.
Earlier, the petitioner’s father had served as a permanent carpenter in the same village till his death.
The order stated that where a female candidate otherwise meets the relevant criteria and demonstrates competence, experience and acceptance, her candidacy must be given the same objective consideration as any male candidate.
“Country governance and revenue administration benefit when skilled women are allowed to participate in institutional roles historically monopolized by men.
“Such participation promotes constitutional values of equal opportunity and strengthens public confidence in impartial administration. Any latent bias, direct or indirect, that diminishes a woman’s candidacy for reasons unrelated to merit cannot be resisted,” the order said.
The court observed that the petitioner was no stranger to the village administration.
“The record shows that she had served as Sarbarah Lumberdar since 2002 and had assisted the deceased in the discharge of his official duties. Such long association with the office is a relevant factor, for appointment as Lumberdar is not ceremonial; it requires knowledge of revenue processes, communication with officials, accessibility, local knowledge and public interest paramount. Comparative merit after due process could not have been superseded except on persuasive, objective and legally tenable reasons, which are absent in the present case,” the order states.
