Lahore:
For the first time in his story, the Sialkot district has become a trailblazer in gender -emerging within the provincial bureaucracy that can now boast of a woman’s Deputy Commissioner and Female Assistant Commissioners leading all four of her tehsils.
On April 27, Saba Asghar Ali, a Pakistan Administrative Service (PAS) officer in BS-19, took over the role of Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Sialkot, who became the first woman to lead the district administration.
Since her appointment, DC SABA has led initiatives focusing on education, healthcare, environmental protection and public welfare and served praise from both colleagues and the local community.
The district’s historical shifts do not end at the top. All four of Sialkots Tehsils – Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur – are now led by female assistant commissioners who mark a rare and powerful example of female representation on several levels of local governance.
Saba Asghar Ali, Deputy Commissioner, Sialkot
A career bureaucrat from PAS, Saba has previously served in various administrative and political roles at both provincial and federal level. She is known for her careful planning and human-centered management style and emphasizes transparency and citizen commitment in public service.
Anum Babar, Assistant Commissioner, Sialkot Tehsil
An energetic young officer, Anum Babar has a reputation for his fieldwork and close interaction with the public. Her initiatives focus on education, health and monitoring of municipal services. She is often seen visiting schools, markets and government facilities unannounced to assess the conditions from first.
Ghulam Fatima, Assistant Commissioner, Sambrial Tehsil
With a great interest in environmental protection and urban planning, Ghulam Fatima has led campaigns to enforce the ban on disposable plastic and improve sanitation. Her proactive approach has gained her respect among environmental groups and the local administration.
Sidra Sattar, Assistant Commissioner, Pasrur Tehsil
Known for its calm behavior and administrative sharpness, Sidra Sattar focuses on resolving citizens’ complaints, improving service delivery and strengthening coordination between departments. She is required to make public offices more accessible and responsive to the people.
Sadia Jaffar, Assistant Commissioner, Daska Tehsil
Sadia Jaffar has recently been appointed AC for Daska Tehsil. With this, Sialkot becomes the first district that has both a female DC and all female ACs. Sadia has also served as AC (UT) in Vehari and was the only female so (general) in the home department, Punjab.
Breaks barriers
Sialkot’s history of progressive bourgeois engagement and its reputation as a global production name is now supplemented with its willingness to promote women to key decision roles.
High -ranking officials in the Punjab government have hailed this development as a sign of changing times and noted that it is in accordance with the provincial administration’s obligation to gender equality in the official.
While these agreements symbolize progress, there are still challenges. Women Officers are still facing cultural and institutional obstacles in rural and semi-burbane surroundings. However, the confidence and professionalism that appears by the new DC and ACS suggest that they are up to the task.
Together, these agreements send a strong message about women’s growing role in leadership positions traditionally dominated by men. Currently, the district stands as a beacon for inclusive and proves that competence does not know any gender.
