K-Electric CEO found guilty of harassment
KE Ceo Moonis Alvi. Photo: File
The Sindh Provincial Ombudsman has ordered the immediate removal of K-Electric’s Chief Executive Officer, Moonis Alvi, and imposed a fine of Rs2.5 million after finding him guilty of workplace harassment.
The order came in response to a complaint filed by Mahreen Aziz Khan, a former consultant and the company’s first female CxO since its corporate restructuring began in 2009. The complaint, lodged in November 2020 under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, accused Alvi of harassment and creating a hostile environment.
In his verdict, Justice (retd) Shahnawaz Tariq, who presided over the case, stated that Alvi had committed harassment and caused psychological distress to Khan and her team.
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“Accused No.1 Moonis Abdullah Alvi has committed harassment, created hostile environment and caused mental agony at the workplace to the complainant Mahreen Aziz Khan and her team,” the ruling said, citing Section 2(h) of the Act.
The Ombudsman ordered Alvi’s removal from service under Section 4(ii)(d) of the Act and directed him to pay the fine within one month. In case of non-compliance, the verdict allows for the seizure of his movable and immovable assets, and the blocking of his national identity card and passport.
Three other individuals — Rizwan Dalia (Chief People Officer), Col (R) Wahid Asghar (Chief of Security), and Khalid Rafi (Board Member, HR Committee) — were also named in the original complaint but were discharged due to lack of evidence.
“In the absence of direct evidence, the allegations against the three co-accused could not be substantiated,” the ruling said.
K-Electric's response
KE CEO Moonis Alvi has strongly denied the allegations of harassment levelled against him in a 22-page order issued by the Sindh Ombudsman on Thursday, and announced that he will be challenging the decision.
In a series of posts on X, Alvi—who is the longest-serving CEO in KE’s history—said he was “deeply distressed” by the ruling and vowed to fight back through legal channels.
I have always upheld the values of integrity and dignity in professional interactions, and I deeply believe in fostering safe and inclusive workplaces for all.
The recent verdict is deeply distressing to me. While I respect the legal process and the institutions that
(1/4)“While I respect the legal process and the institutions that uphold it, I must, in good conscience, state that the findings do not reflect the truth of the situation as I experienced it,” he wrote. “I am currently reviewing the decision with my legal counsel and will be exercising my right to appeal… I remain committed to ensuring that the truth is fully brought to light, through all lawful means available.”
Alvi’s legal team, led by senior counsels Barrister Abid S Zuberi and Barrister Ayan Memon, also confirmed plans to file an appeal against what they called an “unreasoned order.”
uphold it, I must, in good conscience, state that the findings do not reflect the truth of the situation as I experienced it.
This has been a painful journey — not just professionally, but personally. I am currently reviewing the decision with my legal counsel and will be
(2/4)“We respect the honourable court and all its decisions. However, in light of serious procedural and legal inconsistencies, we are moving to appeal this decision before the appropriate forum and are confident that justice will prevail,” the statement said.
They criticised the ruling for what they termed the mischaracterisation of “performance feedback” as harassment and objected to what they described as the imposition of the harshest penalty without a reasoned explanation.
“Mr Alvi gave full disclosure regarding work performance issues concerning the complainant, along with retaliatory complaints made after her termination. These facts were completely overlooked,” the legal counsels noted, adding that a substantial portion of the order focused on “frivolous allegations not backed by hard evidence.”