LAHORE, October 14, 2026: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a contempt of court petition filed against Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman over the non-appointment of the chairperson of the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), declaring the petition not maintainable.
LHC Dismisses Contempt Petition Against Punjab Chief Secretary
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the petition filed by Amna Amir Abdullah, which named the Punjab chief secretary as a respondent.
During the hearing, the chief justice observed that, prima facie, the circumstances did not establish grounds for initiating contempt of court proceedings against the chief secretary.
Justice Neelum noted that the appointment of the commission’s chairperson and members was governed by a prescribed legal procedure, which should be allowed to proceed.
The chief justice emphasised that the relevant authorities must be given an opportunity to complete the appointment process in accordance with the established framework.
Following the hearing, the court dismissed the contempt petition as not maintainable.
Appointment Process Governed by 2014 Law
The petitioner had raised concerns regarding the non-appointment of the commission’s chairperson and referred to the legislation through which the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women was established in 2014.
The commission was constituted under the Punjab Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2014, to promote and protect women’s rights and monitor government policies relating to gender equality.
The legislation provides a formal mechanism for appointing the chairperson and members of the commission, including recommendations through a designated selection process.
The court’s ruling addressed the maintainability of the contempt petition rather than determining the appointments themselves.