Pakistan’s premier institution for safeguarding women’s rights, the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), has been without a permanent chairperson since July 2024, with only an acting chair in place for the last 15 months.

Since its establishment in 2000, the NCSW has faced recurring gaps in leadership. Cumulatively, the chairperson’s office has remained vacant for more than five and a half years over the past 25 years. There was no Chairperson for nine months in 2005, three months in 2009, nine months in 2012, 10 months in 2016, and 21 months between 2019 and 2021. Most recently, the position has been vacant for 15 months since the end of Chairperson Nilofar Bakhtiar’s term in July 2024.

What does NCSW do?

NCSW was established through a presidential ordinance as part of Pakistan’s commitment to the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global agreement endorsed by 189 countries at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The NCSW Act 2012 expanded the Commission’s mandate, granting it powers to review legislation, monitor implementation, and make recommendations to advance gender equality.

Each period without a chairperson has compromised the Commission’s ability to effectively function as Pakistan’s national watchdog for women’s rights, turning an institution intended to ensure equality into an unfulfilled promise.

What is the appointment process for the NCSW Chairperson?

Under the 2012 Act, the selection of the chairperson is made through a parliamentary committee formed by the Speaker of the National Assembly from amongst the names recommended by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The committee comprises up to 12 members, with one-third from the Senate and two-thirds from the National Assembly, giving equal representation to government and opposition parties.

The Federal Ministry of Human Rights calls for public nominations for the post, and the compiled list of nominees is shared with both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. After consultation between both, the Prime Minister forwards three candidates to the committee for confirmation. If there is no consensus between the two leaders, each submits a separate list for committee consideration.

Under the Act, the Prime Minister has the authority to appoint a woman from amongst the members of the Commission as Acting Chairperson for a period not exceeding thirty days, in case of a vacancy in the office of Chairperson.

What do Parliamentarians say on this?

Recent delays in the appointment have been bothering the Parliamentarians as well. In February 2025, MNA Dr. Nafisa Shah, who chairs the Special Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, urged both the immediate constitution of the NCSW and the provincial women’s commissions. In June 2025, she reiterated the call for the prompt appointment of chairpersons for both NCSW and the provincial commissions. The Senate Committee on Human Rights has also called for reforms in NCSW.

What can be the implications of a delayed appointment?

As Pakistan faces mounting pressure under its CEDAW obligations and GSP+ commitments, the role of NCSW is more critical than ever. To fulfill its mandate, the Commission must be insulated from political interference, given stable leadership, and allowed to function independently. Otherwise, its potential as a transformative voice for women’s rights will remain undercut by the state’s reluctance to give it the required autonomy. – Written by Palwasha Mushtaq, FAFEN staff member.