Clerk sacked, fined in harassment case

The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) has dismissed a junior clerk from a government department and imposed a Rs1 million fine after finding him guilty of harassing a female officer. A complaint against a co-accused was dismissed after the allegation of facilitating the harassment could not be proved.

Federal Ombudsperson Fawzia Waqar ordered the clerk's dismissal and imposed a Rs1 million penalty. Of the amount, Rs200,000 will be deposited in the national exchequer, while Rs800,000 will be paid to the victim.

The female officer, who serves as an assistant private secretary in a government department, stated in her complaint that on November 14, 2025, a junior clerk came to her office, misbehaved with her and subjected her to unwanted sexual harassment. She alleged that he pushed her against a wall and forcibly tried to silence her.

The complainant said she immediately reported the incident to the deputy director (administration).

In its decision, FOSPAH said witness statements also confirmed that the incident had been reported promptly and that the complainant had suffered mental distress.