The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has imposed a strict ban on the use of the phrase “Christians only” in advertisements for garbage collectors and sweeper vacancies.
The court ruled that such wording is discriminatory and must be replaced with “civilian” in all future job postings.
Justice Inam Amin Minhas issued the order while addressing a broader set of concerns regarding the treatment and safety of sanitation and sewage workers across the country.
Alarm over rising sewage worker deaths
The high court also voiced deep concern over the increasing number of sewage worker deaths, calling for comprehensive and urgent safety measures nationwide. It noted that these workers continue to be exposed to hazardous environments and toxic gases without proper protection.
Justice Minhas emphasized that leaving sewage workers in toxic, deadly conditions without safety precautions amounts to serious negligence. He stated that “sewage workers are not mechanical parts” and must be provided with complete safety equipment and basic facilities to protect their lives.
Nationwide implementation, monitoring
In its ruling, the IHC directed all relevant departments and authorities to adopt strong safety protocols for sewer and sanitation operations. These departments must also ensure that discriminatory language is immediately removed from all job advertisements.
The court further ordered that a detailed implementation report be submitted to the deputy registrar judicial within two months, outlining progress on safety reforms and compliance with the new hiring guidelines.
