Court throws out petition challenging Kashmala Tariq's appointment

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Kashmala Tariq as federal ombudsperson for protection against harassment of women at workplaces.

A single bench, comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb Khan, rejected the petition moved by Advocate Rai Qaiser Abbas for being non-maintainable.

The petitioner named the secretary to the president, the Ministry of Law and Justice, and the secretary federal ombudsman and the newly appointed female ombudsperson as respondents.

He contended Kashmala Tariq had been appointed as federal ombudsperson against harassment of women at workplaces for a period of four years in violation of the relevant laws.

The lawyer claimed her appointment was made on the basis of her political affiliation with the ruling party as she didn’t meet the required criterion laid down for the post.

He said a retired high court judge or senior lawyer was eligible to be appointed to such post under the law, but Tariq fulfilled neither of both conditions.

The petitioner argued that her appointment was a flagrant violation of the law and the country’s Constitution. He said the notification of her appointment was also illegal and unconstitutional.

He pleaded with the court to strike down Kashmala Tariq’s appointment as federal ombudsman and direct the government to appoint a qualified female ombudsman.