LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed the Punjab government to complete the appointment of the chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) within 45 days, bringing renewed attention to the prolonged vacancy in one of the province’s principal statutory bodies mandated to promote and protect women’s rights.
Justice Masud Abid Naqvi issued the directions while disposing of a petition filed by civil society activist Amina Malik, who challenged the government’s failure to appoint a chairperson despite the position remaining vacant since 2019.
According to court proceedings, the petitioner argued that the appointment of a chairperson is a legal requirement under the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2014, and that the prolonged vacancy had undermined the commission’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate.
In its response before the court, the commission’s secretary stated that the appointment process had been initiated in 2021 and interviews had also been conducted. However, the process could not be completed due to the inability to constitute the search committee in accordance with legal requirements, particularly following constitutional and political developments, including the dissolution of the Punjab Assembly in 2023.
Commenting on the development, women’s rights activist and former Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women, Khawar Mumtaz, welcomed the court’s intervention and described it as an important step towards ensuring compliance with the law.
“It is unfortunate that the commission has remained without a chairperson since 2019. The court’s directions are a welcome step towards ensuring that the appointment process is completed in accordance with the law,” she said.
Ms Mumtaz noted that the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women had made significant contributions since its establishment and stressed that the institution could not be replaced by administrative arrangements.
“No administrative officer or authority can be a substitute for the commission itself, which comprises the chairperson and members representing different divisions of Punjab,” she observed.
She stressed that governments must take statutory institutions seriously and respect the legal frameworks they establish.
“These bodies play a critical role in examining laws, policies, programmes and other measures aimed at advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, representation and political participation. They are expected to assess implementation, identify gaps and make recommendations to the relevant authorities,” she said.
Ms Mumtaz further emphasised that adequate financial resources were equally important for the effective functioning of statutory institutions.
“Adequate budget allocations are crucial to ensure that such bodies can effectively perform their mandate and fulfil their responsibilities,” she added.
Established under the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2014, the PCSW serves as an independent body responsible for reviewing laws, policies and programmes affecting women, monitoring implementation of legal protections, conducting research, and advising the government on measures to improve the status of women across the province.
The case has also drawn attention to broader governance questions regarding how statutory bodies continue to operate when key leadership positions remain vacant for extended periods.
The latest court order is likely to intensify scrutiny of the prolonged delay in filling key leadership positions within statutory commissions and may also prompt broader discussions on strengthening institutional mechanisms established to advance women’s rights and gender equality in Punjab.
The appointment of the PCSW chairperson will be closely watched by women’s rights advocates and civil society organisations, who have long called for stronger and fully functional institutions to support gender-responsive policymaking and accountability in the province.
