PESHAWAR: When a khuli kutcheri is headed by a woman officer and a dermatologist-cum-district councillor is present on the occasion, it is natural for women to share their personal yet important problems like low quality cosmetics being sold at high prices in their locality.

The residents of Gulbahar area during an open court (khuli kutcheri) here on Thursday drew the attention of Additional Assistant Commissioner Sara Tawab Umar towards the issue in the presence of female district education officers and district councillors including known dermatologist Dr Humaira Gilani.

Few other doctors including Dr Ghazala Shaheen, Dr Nayaab and Dr Saima were also present at the gathering that encouraged women to discuss the issue of bad quality and expensive cosmetics being sold to them in the locality without any check.

The women said that shopkeepers sold such cosmetics to them at price of their own choice and they did not know whom to complain about it.

Participants of khuli kutcheri complain about low quality of cosmetic items

The khuli kutcheri series was initiated in October this year by the provincial government to hear the grievances of people to act promptly to resolve it as well as compile the nature of problems being faced by the people.

The khuli kutcheri for women, held in a state-run technical and vocational centre in Gulbahar, was headed by a woman official so the participants spoke openly about their problems.

Besides raising many other issues, the participants said that not only quality of cosmetics or makeup products sold in Peshawar city was bad, but the shopkeepers also sold those products at different rates. They said that the sale of cosmetics should be regularised and the price of such products should be checked by the district administration.

The additional assistant commissioner also took serious notice of it and promised to take measures to address the issue.

The women also demanded of the district administration to increase presence of police in residential localities to curb street crimes. They complained about low gas pressure in the area. They said that women should replace male clerks in girl schools.

The participants also complained about rainwater drainage system in the locality. Some women even gave written applications to the officer on the sport.

The official said that the purpose of holding khuli kutcheri was to decrease gap between government and people, according to a press release.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2017