ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi expressed his disappointment over the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) discriminatory act of not allotting a residential quarter to a female employee.
CDA claimed that it could only allot quarters to adult male “dhobis” or washers as per the past practice.
The President upheld the orders of Wafaqi Mohtasib directing the CDA to allot a quarter to the female employee and asked CDA to improve its rules to eliminate such discriminatory and misogynistic practices.
He also urged CDA to comply with the orders of Wafaqi Mohtasib and redress the grievances of the complainant.
Shahnaz Begum, the complainant, had alleged that CDA had allotted the quarter to another employee, despite being senior to her in the seniority list.
CDA argued that the quarters had been allotted to adult male working dhobis and that it had never been allotted to any female washerwoman.
After reviewing the records, the President rejected CDA’s representation and directed CDA to comply with the orders of Wafaqi Mohtasib. He also urged CDA to ensure that such practices are not repeated in the future.
The President emphasized that Pakistan cannot progress if its female members are discriminated against in such a manner.
He stated that it was against the spirit of the founders of Pakistan, the fair practices of Islam, and the Constitution.
