Karachi, August 25, 2025 — In a landmark ruling, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has reinforced the constitutional protection of family life by declaring that married women employees must be posted in the same city as their spouses.
The decision came in response to a petition filed by a female schoolteacher whose transfer to Hyderabad was abruptly revoked by the Sindh Education Department. She argued that the cancellation violated the government’s wedlock policy, which guarantees co-location for spouses in public service.
A division bench led by Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar ruled in favor of the petitioner, stating that separating a married woman from her husband without valid justification is “irrational” and akin to “punishment for no wrongdoing.” The court emphasized that Article 35 of the Constitution obligates the state to protect the sanctity of marriage and family unity.
The bench criticized the department’s reliance on a 2021 recruitment notification, noting it had no bearing on transfers governed by the wedlock policy. The court ordered the reinstatement of the petitioner’s posting in Hyderabad and declared that she shall be deemed never to have been transferred to Naushero Feroz.
The ruling sets a precedent for executive authorities to prioritize family cohesion in future postings and transfers, especially for female employees facing psychological and financial strain due to separation.