President office upholds FOSPAH’s decision and Imposes Fine of Rs. 1 Million

ISLAMABAD, Nov 08 (EPI): The President’s Office has upheld the final decision by the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (FOSPAH) regarding a workplace harassment complaint from Syeda Gulbadan Shahid, the Principal CB of Modern Montessori in Nowshera.

The Hon’ble Ombudsperson, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, had imposed a major penalty of Rs. 1 Million on the accused, Hassan Ali Khan Laghari. Compensation would be payable to the complainant, Ms. Syeda Gulbadin Shahid. The accused was found guilty of harassment, compounded by the fact that being in a position of authority had abused this position.

The complainant, Syeda Gulbadin Shah, had filed a complaint with FOSPAH, accusing Hassan Ali Khan Laghari, the former Director Cantt Admin (ML&C) Rawalpindi, of inappropriate behavior, including sending her inappropriate and lewd messages on WhatsApp.

The Hon’ble Ombudsperson imposed a penalty under the 2010 Act. The accused was fined Rs. 1,000,000 as compensation, payable to the complainant or deducted from his pension if he failed to comply.

The accused, dissatisfied with FOSPAH’s decision, took the matter to the office of the Hon’ble President of Pakistan, challenging the Ombudsperson’s jurisdiction and decision. However, the President’s office upheld FOSPAH’s decision.

The decision, upheld by the office of the Hon’ble President of Pakistan, reflects the commitment of FOSPAH and the State to creating safe and respectful workplaces. It further reinforces the principle that no one, irrespective of rank or position, is above the law when it comes to harassment.

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The Hon’ble Ombudsperson, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, had imposed a major penalty of Rs. 1 Million on the accused after finding him guilty of harassment, compounded by the fact that being in a position of authority, had abused his position.

Cases like these reflect the commitment of FOSPAH and the State to creating safe workplaces where no one, irrespective of rank or position, is above the law when it comes to harassment.

Ends-Exact Press International-