Dr. Hafiz Ishaq, Head of the IT Department at the Federal Urdu University of Science and Technology (FUUAST), has been dismissed from his position and fined one million rupees by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH). The verdict was delivered in a workplace harassment case filed by FUUAST lecturer Ms. Arooj Malik.
FOSPAH, under the leadership of Ombudsperson Fauzia Waqar, issued the judgment on Monday, marking a significant decision in the fight against workplace harassment. According to the ruling:
Ms. Arooj Malik, a lecturer in the Business Administration Department at FUUAST, filed a formal harassment complaint against Dr. Ishaq, citing repeated harassment over several years. Attempts to resolve the issue informally were unsuccessful, leading Ms. Malik to pursue legal action.
Initially, FUUAST’s institutional inquiry committee failed to address the complaint adequately, prompting the complainant to escalate the matter to FOSPAH.
During the investigation, Ms. Malik presented unchallenged testimony and evidence, leading FOSPAH to conclude that Dr. Ishaq had violated the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, of 2010.
A pivotal moment in the case came when Dr. Ishaq admitted to physical harassment during the investigation and apologized to Ms. Malik. This admission further solidified the findings against him.
This landmark judgment underscores the commitment of FOSPAH to uphold workplace safety and protect victims of harassment. It also serves as a reminder to institutions of their responsibility to address harassment complaints seriously and act against violators.
The case highlights the importance of creating a harassment-free work environment and ensuring accountability for those who abuse their positions of authority.
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