ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsperson for the Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace has awarded the major penalty of dismissal from service to a junior clerk of a federal government organisation.

The accused was also fined Rs1 million of which Rs800,000 will be paid to the complainant as compensation, while Rs200,000 will be deposited in the national treasury, according to the ruling.

The decision was announced after the charge of sexual harassment against the accused was established.

The complaint was filed by a female employee serving as assistant private secretary in a federal government organisation. According to her, on November 14, 2025 a junior clerk from the organisation entered her office and behaved inappropriately with her, making unwelcome sexual advances, pushing her against the wall, and forcibly covering her mouth. The complainant stated that she immediately reported the incident to a senior officer, the deputy director (admin) of the organisation.

A departmental inquiry was conducted which exonerated the accused and dismissed the complaint of the victim. After that, the victim approached the Federal Ombudsperson for the Protection Against Harassment at the Workplace. Fospah heard the case providing opportunity to both parties to present their arguments.

Witness statements also corroborated the prompt reporting of the incident and the complainant’s mental distress.

The federal ombudsperson found the complainant’s testimony credible, also corroborated by other evidence and, accordingly, awarded the major penalty.

The Federal Ombudsperson for Anti-Harassment remains committed to combating workplace harassment, the ruling further said.

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2026