Two women officers in Punjab stand out

ISLAMABAD: Two women officers, who have emerged as superstars in the otherwise pliant and evasive bureaucracy, have made a hell of a difference in Punjab because of their bold and resolute commitment.
They fear none and lay hands on the high and mighty in the business world, who are otherwise untouchables as they are well-connected and have overbearing customers to entertain.
Of the two Aishas, Aisha Mumtaz, Director, Operations of the Punjab Food Authority (PFA), has outshined, and is continuing to earn kudos from all and sundry. She has been aptly described by some as a ‘dhabang’ (powerful) officer.
Her daily raids and actions awfully lay bare what kind of confectionary and bakery items and overall food produced by even top class hotels and meat we are consuming. Her detections expose the repulsive and heartless minds, knowing no norms but greed. Her practical drive has established beyond an iota of doubt that the food industry is thoroughly adulterated and contaminated and even poisoned in some cases.
Aisha Mumtaz has frequently talked about the complete support of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the drive against deleterious and toxic food and meat, even prohibited stuff. The persistent campaign is possible only with his firm backing and non-interference.
She has given a lie to the notion that women are docile and can’t act decisively or deliver when given tough assignments to deal with influential people.
“Some wealthy and well-connected figures, whose businesses have been found involved in illegal activities, have been approaching the chief minister for intervention to rescue them, but they have got a big no,” a senior official, working in Punjab, told The News.
He said Shahbaz Sharif has given the two Aishas the blanket mandate to work audaciously and produce results. He also told them that he would not in any case meddle in their functions.
“So far, thousands of raids have been conducted by the PFA; action has been taken against the outlets found to be not following the hygiene standards,” the official said.
The way the apparently down-to-earth lady is performing her duty is akin to a movie scene and not something that is happening in the real world in a country where the rich and well-heeled go scot-free and get away with the illegalities on the force of just a phone call.
There is no previous example in Punjab of having such a daring female officer. Aisha Mumtaz doesn’t boast of her work but says what she is doing is her duty as per the law, and this is what her services are meant for.
Her diligence is yet to shake authorities in other provinces to proceed against the bakeries and food points that are selling dangerous items, playing havoc with the consumers. Their provincial chief executives will be required to give such male or female officers their full support and confidence if they choose this kind of officials and want results.
The other woman officer, Aisha Ranjha of the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA), has also moved determinedly against fashion designers’ outlets, which are visited only by affluent people. What to speak of paying taxes by them, they have not even registered themselves with the PRA. This is not something unusual in a culture of bemoaning all the time over others’ inefficiencies but not doing their bit.
It is being hoped that as Aisha Ranjha will act more, she may add a lot to the Punjab revenue. Her actions have also been universally acclaimed. Many more such Aishas are required at all levels of the government, which is notorious for its ineptitude.
“Several businesses are earning a lot of profit but not even registered as taxpayers. It is a crime, reflecting the situation of not abiding by the law of the land,” Aisha Ranjha says.
Apart from the excellent work being done by the Aishas, Punjab also tops all the provinces in having the maximum number of women secretaries of ministries. It has six female secretaries while Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have one each. Balochistan has no such officer. Never before has Punjab such a large number of women secretaries.
The female secretaries posted in Punjab include Umbreen Raza, Special Education; Irum Bokhari, Higher Education; Bushra Aman, Human Rights; Aman Imam, Women Development; Ismat Tahira, Archives; and Saima Saeed, Special Secretary to Governor.
Besides, reforms have also been introduced for woman empowerment in Punjab. Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997 is added in all cases of throwing acid, kerosene and petrol on women so that the perpetrators get the severe punishment for this heinous offence. The government has taken up the responsibility for the rehabilitation of the surviving acid victims.
A 33pc quota for women has been allocated in all Punjab government institutions, boards, committees and taskforces, and 25pc in the Punjab Public Service Commission. Daycare centres have been established in educational and government institutions so that married women could leave their children somewhere safe while they work.
Women’s inheritance rights have been strictly ensured. The Punjab government has withdrawn the condition that the heirs submit applications for the transfer and division of land in rural areas.
Revenue officers now initiate the process for the transfer of land at the death of its owner without waiting for the application. Its purpose is to put an end to the unsavoury practice of usurping the legal rights of female owners in the division of land.
For the first time, a female has been appointed as ombudswoman. In addition, the quota of female in government jobs has been increased to 15pc from 5pc. Besides, both husband and wife, if they happen to be government servants, are entitled to house rent allowance.