Gender-based discrimination in FIA continues

Islamabad
Discrimination on the basis of gender is not permissible in the Constitution but the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is likely to continue its policy of keeping separate seniority lists for male and female officers that has curtailed the prospects of women staffers to utilise their talent in other than immigration section of the organisation, the sources told The News here on Friday.
"A draft recommendation on the issue of seniority lists that would be presented in a meeting to be held on Monday has suggested continuing with the controversial policy of separate lists for male and female staff members," the sources said.
The sources said the policy adopted by the administration have benefited only male ones since its enforcement in 2008 and it is a clear violation of civil servants law and Articles 22, 25 and 38 of 1973 Constitution.
The sources said when female officers were recruited in FIA in 2002 there was only one seniority list for both male and female staff members but the high ups ordered in 2008 to prepare separate seniority lists for them.
It is pertinent to mention here that female ASIs moved their case with the Federal Service Tribunal that gave verdict against them. Later, the Supreme Court declared its verdict null and void and directed to provide justice to female staffers of the FIA.
An official said there has been no chairman of Federal Service Tribunal since last couple of years due to which the promotion case of female ASIs of FIA has not reached its logical end.
The government had sanctioned these posts only for the ladies ASI Immigration in order to keep them in the mainstream but they were appointed on the recommendations of the selection committee of FIA.
When contacted, FIA Director General Muhammad Akbar Khan Hoti told The News that they would discuss the issue of seniority lists on Monday and any decision would be taken keeping in view the best interest of the organizsation.
"I personally do not want to have separate seniority lists but it would affect functioning of the organisation if the female officers working in the immigration section get promoted and take charge in the investigation section," he said.
He said the investigation section needs such kind of work that is quite difficult for the female staffers so it would be better if they continue to work in the immigration section where they can serve in much better way.