ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsman for Anti-Harassment, Fawzia Waqar, has issued a landmark decision sentencing a junior clerk to rigorous imprisonment for life and imposing a fine of Rs1 million for committing sexual harassment against a female colleague in a federal government organization.
The final judgment, delivered on August 17, 2026, marks a significant enforcement action in workplace safety as authorities intensify crackdowns on sexual misconduct within government institutions.
The case stemmed from an incident occurring on November 14, 2025, when the accused junior clerk entered the office of an Assistant Private Secretary and subjected her to unwanted sexual advances.
According to the formal complaint, the accused physically assaulted the woman, pushing her against a wall and forcibly closing her mouth.
The complainant immediately reported the incident to the Deputy Director (Admin), demonstrating swift action to document and escalate the misconduct through proper channels.
Key Findings and Evidence
The Federal Ombudsman’s investigation found the complainant’s testimony credible and corroborated by witness statements, which confirmed both the immediate reporting of the incident and the psychological distress experienced by the victim.
Based on this evidence, the Ombudsman determined that the accused’s conduct fell squarely within the definition of sexual harassment under Section 2(h)(i) of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.
Sentencing and Compensation
The Ombudsman’s ruling handed down the following penalties against the convicted employee:
– Life imprisonment under Section 4(4)(ii)(d) of the Act
– Fine of Rs1 million, structured as follows:
– Rs800,000 to be paid directly as compensation to the complainant
– Rs200,000 to be deposited in the national treasury
Second Accused Acquitted
In a separate determination, allegations against a second accused—who was accused of protecting or facilitating the primary offender—could not be substantiated.
The Federal Ombudsman found that this individual had taken appropriate action by reporting the matter to relevant authorities and therefore acquitted him, dismissing the complaint in his regard.
