LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday turned down a request to initiate contempt procee dings against Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman over the nonappointment of a chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition filed by Amna Malik, who alleged contempt of court over the failure to appoint the commission`s chairperson.

The petitioner had made the chief secretaryarespondentin the case.

Advocate Abdullah Malik, appearing on behalf of the petitioner,argued that the court previously directed the government to make the appointment within 45 days.

Asked by the court, the counsel admitted that the chief secretary had afforded an opportunity of hearing to the petitioner to decide herrepresentation.

The chief justice observed that a prescribed procedure was in place for appointing the chairperson of the commission. She said the processfor appointingthe chairperson and members of the commission should be allowed to proceed.

The chiefjustice disposed ofthe petition, observing that, primafacie, no case of contempt of court was made out against the chief secretary at this stage.

The petition contended that under the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2014, appointment of a chairperson was mandatory for the effective functioning of the commission. However, it said, the position had remained vacant since 2019 despite repeated advertisements by the government for the appointment.

It stated that the delay had affected the commission`s ability to effectively promote and protect women`s rights. Staff Reporter