ISLAMABAD- Supreme Court (SC) has rejected affidavits filed by government of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) government, on regularizing Lady Health Workers (LHWs) within 24 hours and payment of salary to them.
The court while giving last chance to government of Punjab, KPK, Baluchistan and Sindh to file the affidavits afresh, has made it clear that contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against the officers concerned if affidavits are not filed.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja while expressing displeasure over non filing of replies by the provinces remarked “more than one month has elapsed but court’s order has not been implemented. As to why contempt of court notices be not issued to all the concerned officers. LHWs in KPK and Sindh are being hit daily with bullets. A day before four LHWs was killed in Quetta. Verbal consolation will not work in the court. We want all the problems facing LHWs be addressed. LHWs are not considered human being. LHWs remain in forefront in discharging their duties during anti polio campaign and drive against other diseases in adverse situation.  Despite it affidavits are not being filed by the provinces with reference to them.”

He further observed “no compromise can be made on the killings of LHWs. Provincial governments should improve security arrangements for LHWs.” He gave these remarks while presiding over a three-member bench of SC during the course of hearing of a petition filed by Bushra Araen pertaining to regularization of service of LHWs and payment of salary to them today.

Deputy Attorney General (DAG) appeared before the court and told that implementation process of court’s orders is underway and all the matters will be finalized soon.