LAHORE, Nov 7: Human rights activist Asma Jehangir has termed the Supreme Court’s judgment of allowing PIA to retire airhostesses over the age of 45 ‘biased’.

In a statement issued here on Friday, she said the decision showed that the superior courts had not been able to appreciate the constitutional guarantees to women against discrimination.

“The judgment is a black law for the women of Pakistan. Adding insult to injury, the arguments presented were hypocritical and humiliating that it is not culturally appropriate for an ‘old’ woman to serve passengers.

“It is women, regardless of age, who carry out all household chores and much more men shamelessly are served by women in our country and elsewhere too. The impression created by the judgment is different. It appears that the Supreme Court has supported the view that male passengers be served by young women rather than experienced ones. Women have as much energy as men in this field of work. The Supreme Court has taken a light view of working women and their right to employment. Women activists challenge the judiciary on board to practically demonstrate to them the women over the age of 45 can work as efficiently, if not better, as male stewards,” she said.

She said a review must be filed in this matter so that the Supreme Court may see this important issue afresh and with a greater vision.