Senior Judge of the Islamabad High Court, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani, expressed his strong support for the rights of working women, emphasizing that he would vote in favor of allowances for working women whenever given the opportunity.
Addressing a seminar, Justice Kiani pointed out that no significant reforms have been made at the national level to ensure gender equality. He criticized the judicial commission formed under the 26th constitutional amendment for having only one female member, questioning how this could reflect the situation for ordinary citizens.
Justice Kiani further noted that no woman prosecutor has been appointed in Islamabad, stressing the need to provide special allowances for working women. He advocated for policies aimed at eliminating gender discrimination, urging that maternity leave should not lead to departmental action, and raised concerns about whether women have the necessary support for childcare during their duties.
He also called for the creation of a separate merit-based policy for female judges and proposed a separate quota for women in promotions and appointments. Justice Kiani mentioned that female judges should be given facilities in the e-court system to make their work easier.
Concluding his remarks, Justice Kiani emphasized the importance of women in the family, stating, “A household cannot function without a woman. Try living without a mother, wife, daughter, or sister for a day, and you will realize the significance.” He added that, as Pakistanis, we have yet to fully understand the concept of gender equality.
