QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly’s standing committee on women development, in its meeting on Tuesday, has discussed steps to strengthen workplace and harassment laws for women.
The meeting, presided over by Chairman Fazal Qadir Mandokhail, focused on the Draft Amendment Bill 2025, which seeks to fortify legal frame-works ensuring equality, respect, and protection for women in professional settings.
A key proposal discussed that involved revising the procedure for appointing support staff in the Ombudsperson’s Office, aimed at enhancing its self-sufficiency and operational capacity.
Lawmakers also called for structural reforms to empower the Ombudsperson and ensure timely and just handling of harassment complaints.
“The amendment’s intent is not only to shield women from harassment but to promote a culture of fairness, dignity, and inclusivity across all workplaces,” the committee emphasised.
The proposed legislation has been hailed as a milestone in advancing women’s rights in Balochistan, reinforcing the provincial government’s commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive work en-vironment for women, it added.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Ghazala Gola, Raheela Hameed Durrani, Rubaba Khan Buledi, Safia Bibi, Meena Majeed Baloch, and senior officials including Assembly Secretary Tahir Shah Kakar, Women Development Secretary Saira Atta,
and Special Secretary Abdul Rehman.
Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025
