New nationwide guidelines ordered to protect the lives and dignity of sanitation and sewage workers.
IHC Bans ‘Christians Only’ Ads for Sweeper Jobs
Judge rules discriminatory hiring language must end; orders nationwide safety measures
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a landmark ruling prohibiting the use of the phrase “Christians only” in advertisements for sweeper and sanitation jobs, a practice long criticized by rights groups for being discriminatory and unconstitutional.
Justice Inam Amin Minhas directed that all government departments and private institutions must immediately replace the phrase with “civilian” in their job postings.
A Long-Ignored Issue Comes Under Judicial Spotlight
For decades, sanitation jobs across Pakistan have been informally associated almost exclusively with religious minorities. The IHC ruling marks one of the strongest judicial interventions to date, declaring such language a violation of equality and human dignity.
According to the order, no state institution may link a particular faith to “low-grade” or hazardous jobs, nor imply that religious minority groups are expected to perform them.
Alarm Over Rising Sewage Worker Deaths
The court expressed serious concern over the surging number of sewage worker fatalities, particularly those caused by toxic gases, unsafe entry into manholes, and lack of protective gear.
Justice Minhas stated:
“Sewage workers are not mechanical parts. They are human beings and must be protected with the same seriousness as any other workforce in the country.”
He criticized authorities for failing to enforce safety measures, resulting in tragic, preventable deaths year after year.
Mandatory Safety Protocols for All Departments
The IHC ordered all federal, provincial, and local bodies to implement:
- Full safety equipment for every sewage and sanitation worker
- Mandatory training for hazardous operations
- Strict monitoring of conditions inside sewer lines
- Emergency response procedures
- Updated job advertisement standards
Departments must submit a two-month implementation report to the deputy registrar judicial, outlining progress, compliance, and safety upgrades.
A Turning Point for Workers’ Rights
The decision represents a crucial step toward dismantling long-standing discriminatory employment practices and improving the dignity and safety of thousands of sanitation workers nationwide.
Rights activists consider the ruling a historic opportunity, if enforced properly to reshape public sector hiring norms and finally protect workers who risk their lives in the most dangerous environments.