ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first Hindu female judge Suman Kumari Bodani said it was an honor for her to inspire women from the country’s tiny Hindu minority.
Hindus in Pakistan are now estimated to number around 4 million out of a population estimated at nearly 208 million.
“It is the biggest honor for me to become a role model for families in my community,” Bodani told Arab News in a phone interview. “Especially for those families and those girls who do not permit their girls to go further in education.”
Bodani is also the first female advocate from Shahdadkot City, a densely populated city in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province. She grew up in Hyderabad, and eventually moved to the port city of Karachi to study law.
While working at Rasheed A. Razvi Law Firm, Bodani completed her Masters of Law from Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Law University in Karachi, where she passed with distinction and came third in her class.
“Since childhood I wanted to be an advocate and part of the judiciary,” Bodani said. “This field is highly respectable and full of honor, where everyone can come to get justice.”
When asked what she hopes to do during her tenure, Bodani said that she wanted to work to improve girls’ education, particularly to raise awareness about its importance. given that she was herself an example of the potential women could achieve if they were allowed to pursue their dreams and get an education.
“My family and friends supported me which is how I reached this position and I am so grateful for that support,” Bodani said. “I want to give a message to families who do not support girls education that they should encourage girls to pursue higher education and create their own success, so that they can serve their country as I want to serve my country.”
The first Hindu judge in Pakistan was late Justice Rana Bhagwandas, who also briefly served as Chief Justice of Pakistan.
'Honored to be role model for Hindu community,' says Justice Bodani
'Honored to be role model for Hindu community,' says Justice Bodani
- Justice Sumon Bodani aspires to raise awareness about girls’ education
- Is the first woman advocate from Shahdadkot City in Sindh province
Pakistan announces four-day work week among austerity measures to offset impact of Middle East crisis
- The development comes as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt oil supplies in Strait of Hormuz, push prices past $119 a barrel
- Islamabad bans government purchases, cuts fuel allocation for vehicles as well as workforce in public and private offices by 50 percent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week and cuts in government expenditures, to offset the impact of rising global oil prices due to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global fuel supply lines have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and counterattacks against US interests in the Gulf region.
Oil prices surged more than 25 percent globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.
In his televised address on Sunday night, Sharif said global oil prices were expected to rise again in the coming days but vowed not to let the people bear their brunt, announcing austerity measures to lessen the impact of fuel price hikes.
“Fifty percent staff in public and private entities will work from home,” he announced, adding this would not be applicable to essential services. “Offices will remain open for four days a week. One-day additional off is being given to conserve oil, but it would not be applicable to banks.”
Sharif didn’t specify working days of the week and the government was likely to issue a notification in this regard.
He said a decrease of 50 percent was being made in fuel allocation for government vehicles immediately for the next two months, but they would not include ambulances and public buses.
“Cabinet members, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, 25 percent salaries of parliamentarians are being deducted, two-day salaries of Grade 20 and above officers, or those who are paid Rs300,000 ($1,067) a month, are being deducted for public relief,” he said.
Similarly, there will be 20 percent reduction in public department expenses and a complete ban on the purchase of cars, furniture, air conditioners and other goods, according to the prime minister.
Foreign trips of ministers and other government officials will also be banned along with government dinners and iftar buffets, while teleconferences and online meetings will be given priority.
Sharif’s comments were aired hours after Pakistani authorities said the country had “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains were functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy (PN) launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the conflict.
The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.
“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted,” the ISPR said on Monday. “Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today.”
