LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the Punjab government to appoint the chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) within 45 days.

Justice Masud Abid Naqvi issued the order on a petition filed by civil society activist Amina Malik, who challenged the prolonged vacancy of the post.

The petitioner’s counsel, Abdullah Malik, argued 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, he said, the position had remained vacant since 2019 despite repeated advertisements by the government for the appointment.

The counsel contended that the delay had affected the commission’s ability to effectively promote and protect women’s rights.

In a written reply, the commission’s secretary informed the court that the process to fill the post had been initiated in 2021 and interviews were also conducted. However, it said, the process could not be finalised due to unavailability of a female MPA as member of the search committee formed to appoint the chairperson.

The reply said the delay was not a result of any mala fide as it occurred due to constitutional and political developments like dissolution of the Punjab Assembly in 2023, which prevented the search committee from being lawfully constituted and completing its mandate.

It claimed that the commission was still performing all its functions as mandated by the law. The secretary stated that the process for the appointment of the chairperson was under progress following issuance of a fresh letter on March 4, 2024.

The judge disposed of the petition and directed the Punjab government to complete the appointment process and ensure that the chairperson was appointed within 45 days.

Gujranwala police: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday admonished Gujranwala police officials while hearing a petition regarding a viral video showing heads of some handcuffed youths being shaved in police custody.

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa took up the petition filed by Muhammad Umar, while Advocate Ahmed Sher Jatt appeared on behalf of the petitioner.

On the court’s order, Gujranwala Saddar SP and the SHO concerned appeared before the court.

During the hearing, police officials informed the court that the suspects were students who allegedly used to stop buses by force and travel without paying fares.

They claimed that the youths had themselves shaved their heads to changed their appearance to avoid arrest, denying it was done in custody.

The officials stated that four of the suspects were released on assurances from local elders, while legal action was taken against the three others.

When the judge asked the police officials that who recorded the video showing the youths in handcuffs, an official replied that it was possible that someone accompanying the suspects had recorded the video.

However, the judge rejected this response, expressing displeasure at the conduct of the SHO concerned. The officials informed the court that two policemen had been suspended over negligence.

The judge also questioned the petitioner’s counsel about why no affected person had appeared in the case.

The counsel replied that the affected persons could not come forward due to fear of the police. He alleged that the Crime Control Department (CCD) was subjecting suspects to “half fry and full fry” tactics, creating fear among people.

“Now we will see who shaves the heads of people in Gujranwala,” the judge remarked, giving a warning to the police.

Justice Bajwa observed that the court would review the report and pass an appropriate order in the matter.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026