“Harassment at workplace a serious issue in Pakistan”


IV report
KARACHI: Stressing the need for awareness, a senior legal professional associated with the federal government's complaints addressing body on harassment, Sabika Shah, highlighted the gravity of workplace harassment in Pakistan.

At an awareness seminar organised by Hamdard University (HU), Ms Shah, Regional Head of the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (Fospah), cited a survey revealing that "all Pakistani women face this serious problem at least once in their lifetime."

Shah defined harassment, noting, "It's not limited to men harassing women; a man can harass a man, and a woman can harass a female colleague." She emphasised that men and transgender persons are also vulnerable to workplace harassment in Pakistan, ranked among the five worst countries for sexual harassment.

The Fospah head explained that any action, including staring, touching, or suggestive speech, can be deemed an offence. Discrimination based on gender and retaliation against complainants also fall under harassment.

Under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, every organisation must constitute an inquiry committee to address complaints. Shah clarified that complaints cannot be made anonymously and can be lodged online through Fospah's website, with no time limit.

Other experts, Aasia Anas and Insia Josani from Fospah, shared insights on the complaint redressal timeline.

Hamdard University's Deputy Registrar, Javed Sadiq Dawood, stressed the need for effective and swift action against harassment, while Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy Prof Dr Shamim Akhtar and Registrar Kaleem A Ghias attended the seminar.

(File photos courtesy: HU website)


With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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