ISLAMABAD: A federal ombudsperson has recommended the dismissal of Pakistan’s former ambassador to Italy Nadeem Riyaz after he was found guilty of sexually harassing a female colleague.
Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplaces Kashmala Tariq Khan announced the verdict on the complaint of the Saira Imdad, who was posted as trade office in Pakistan’s embassy when Riyaz was the ambassador, the report said.
In its verdict, the ombudsperson ordered the dismissal of Riyaz from the service and imposed a Rs5million fine, which would be paid to the complainant as compensation and the cost of litigation.
The ombudsperson has directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement the decision “in letter and spirit” within seven days and submit the report.
In a tweet, the complainant Imdad expressed her gratitude to Khan and her lawyer Muhammed Ahmed Pansota. “Won my sexual harassment claim against Mr. Nadeem Riaz, Ex-Ambassador to Italy. It was a long fight for justice,” she tweeted.
Replying to her, the ombudsperson said, “My vision is to redress grievances pertaining to harassment at the workplace so every person can work with dignity and in a safe environment. Ladies, stand up for yourself and report harassment. We need to make the future for [ou]r girls bright & safe.”
Imdad accused Riyaz of treating her in a “disrespectful, hostile and humiliating manner”. According to the written verdict, Riyaz asked Imdad to travel with her to places unrelated to her job and find a residence near his house.
He also asked Imdad to race her car with his cycle, according to the document. Riyaz insulted Imdad without any reason and sexually harassed her. It made the work environment so hostile for her that she returned to Pakistan before the end of her three-year term.
Riyaz retired from foreign service in 2020 and was since posted as president of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) on contract by the Foreign Ministry. IRS is the official think tank of the foreign office.
