In a significant development towards achieving gender equality, a woman has been appointed as the village leader (Lambardar) in Arifwala in district Pakpattan. Amna Bibi, a resident of 22 KB village, received the official notification of her appointment from the Pakpattan Deputy Commissioner (DC), Sadia Mehr. Amna Bibi is the first woman to hold this position in Arifwala, and one of the few in the entire Punjab province. She will be responsible for overseeing the affairs of the village, such as resolving disputes, collecting taxes, maintaining records, and liaising with the district administration. The appointment of a woman as Lambardar by the deputy commissioner is considered as a positive step towards empowering women and promoting gender equality in rural areas.

The Lambardari system in Pakistan is based on the pre-partition Indian land revenue system. Lambardar is a semi-hereditary status in Punjab, Pakistan. Zamindars with considerable landholdings and hereditary status are usually serving as Lambardars. Currently, educated youngsters with landholdings and hereditary status are being appointed by deputy commissioners to replace old members of the families serving as Lambardars in Punjab. The first female Lambardar in West Pakistan was Begum Sarwat Imtiaz who took oath in 1959. She was Lambardar of Chak 43/12 L, Chichawatni, district Montgomery (now Sahiwal).

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)