President Alvi dismissed DG PEMRA from service in a harassment case.

ISLAMABAD  President of the State Dr. Arif Alvi has granted protection to Director General Admin and HR Haji Adam of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against harassment of women for harassing his subordinate at the workplace. The punishment for doing so has been upheld.

The President of the State upheld the punishment of dismissal from the job, but increased the fine imposed on the accused for sexually harassing the woman from Rs.20 lakh to Rs.25 lakh. He observed that this amount should be given to the woman as compensation for the hardships she faced at the hands of her elders. 

President Arif Alvi said that to ensure the full participation of women in our society, harassment must be stopped, fear and further isolation make it difficult for women to bring cases before forums.
President Arif Alvi, while upholding the heavy penalty of dismissal, directed that the compensation amount be recovered from DG PEMRA’s salary arrears (if any), pensions or any other source (property).

Harassment of women has to be curbed to ensure full participation in our society. It is difficult for them to bring cases before forums because of fear & further isolation. Public spaces have to be expanded for equal work status. I appeal 2 all to ensure respect in deeds & action https://t.co/XyWbWWQbi0

— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) October 1, 2022

The woman filed an online complaint with the Ombudsman on January 20, 2020 through her lawyers Alia Zareen Abbasi and Anbrin Nawaz Chaudhry. In his complaint, the lawyer has stated his grievances about harassment while working as an RTO at the Pemra headquarters in Islamabad.

The lawyer said that Adam’s behavior towards the complainant became rude, abusive and insulting when she refused to comply with his demands for sexual favors. She said that in addition to making insulting comments against her, Adam threatened her with dire consequences, including dismissal from her job, if she did not comply with his immoral demands.

In short, Adam basically argued that he was implicated in the case by his opponents in office, saying that no element of harassment had been established against him and that he was charged with ulterior motives. was dragged into litigation. However, the President said in the judgment that he could not bring any concrete evidence on record in his support.
The President said that the evidence on record shows that the accused invited the woman to the room of PEMRA General Manager Fakhruddin Mughal where she started a very lewd and lascivious conversation.

Dr. Arif Alvi also included some parts of the conversation in the judgment. Surprising as it may seem, the conversation reveals how Adam harassed her by sharing his sexual experiences during a visit to Dubai, and offered her a short-term contract after she refused his demands. offered marriage.

After rejecting all her verbal and physical advances, Haji Adam told her, “It is good if you are of some use, otherwise this beautiful body will be eaten by insects. Then, in judgment, said When he is gone, Adam threatens him that his contract will not be renewed next time.

“In view of the established facts,” the President said, “I am of the view that it is proved beyond any reasonable doubt that the appellant was subjected to verbal, obscene, sexual, insulting comments and demands.” was harassed by the provider.”

The president declared that this was a clear violation of Pakistan’s laws, particularly the Protection of Women from Harassment at the Workplace Act 2010, and a clear example of how women were discouraged, here Even brave individuals who risk their reputations come forward to file harassment cases.

Dr. Arif Alvi said that more than 50 percent of women in our society are unable to work independently due to harassment, when such cases come to light and are proved beyond doubt, they will face the full force of the law. will use “We have to ensure a safe working environment for the female gender so that they can utilize their great potential” and make them part of the country’s economy.

The President also lamented that the complainant had to go through delays and repeated hearings, saying it was something that needed attention.