Lahore:
For the first time in its history, the Sialkot district has become a pioneer in the inclusion between the sexes in the provincial bureaucracy, with a woman assistant commissioner and assistant commissioners at the head of her four Tehsils.
On April 27, Saba Asghar Ali, Officer of Administrative Pakistan Service (Pas) of BS-19, officially assumed the role of deputy commissioner (DC) of SIALKOT, becoming the first woman to direct the administration of the district.
Since his appointment, DC Saba has directed initiatives by focusing on education, health care, environmental protection and public well-being, winning the praise of colleagues and the local community.
The historical change of the district does not end at the top. The four Tehsils of Siackot – Siackot, Daska, Sambrial and Pasrur – are now led by assistant commissioners, marking a rare and powerful example of female representation on several levels of local governance.
Saba Asghar Ali, assistant commissioner, SIALKOT
A PAS career bureaucrat, Saba previously occupied various administrative and political roles at the provincial and federal levels. Known for its meticulous planning and its style of governance focused on people, it emphasizes the transparency and commitment of citizens in the public service.
Anum Babar, deputy commissioner, SIALKOT TEHSIL
An energetic young officer, Anum Babar has a reputation for his work in the field and a close interaction with the public. Its initiatives focus on education, health and monitoring of municipal services. It is often seen on visiting schools, markets and unexpected government facilities to assess first -hand conditions.
Ghumlam Fatima, deputy commissioner, Sambrial Tehsil
With a keen interest in environmental protection and town planning, Ghulam Fatima led campaigns to apply prohibitions in single -use plastics and to improve sanitation. His proactive approach has earned him respect for environmental groups and local administration.
Sidra Sattar, deputy commissioner, Pasrur Tehsil
Known for its calm behavior and administrative meaning, Sidra Sattar focuses on the resolution of citizens’ complaints, improving the service of services and strengthening coordination between departments. It is committed to making public offices more accessible and responsive to people.
Sadia Jaffar, deputy commissioner, Daska Tehsil
Sadia Jaffar was recently appointed AC of Daska Tehsil. With this, SIALKOT becomes the first district to have both a DC woman and all AC women. Sadia was also AC (UT) in Vehari and was the only woman SO (general) in the department of origin, Punjab.
Rupture barriers
The history of Sialkot’s progressive civic commitment and its reputation as a global manufacturing center are now supplemented by its desire to promote women to key decision -making roles.
High civil servants of the Punjab government welcomed this development as a sign of a change of time, noting that he aligns for the commitment of the provincial administration towards gender equality in the public service.
Although these meetings symbolize progress, challenges remain. Women officers are still faced with cultural and institutional obstacles in rural and semi-urban areas. However, the confidence and professionalism displayed by the new DC and ACS suggest that they are up to par.
Together, these appointments send a strong message on the growing role of women in management posts traditionally dominated by men. For the moment, the district is an inclusion lighthouse, proving that competence has no sex.
