ISLAMABAD: An inquiry report on the alleged harassment of women polio workers was rejected by the chief commissioner Islamabad hours after it was submitted to him.

The report was made in haste, said an official, adding the complainants were forced to dissociate themselves from the complaint.

Last month, a number of female polio workers accused a senior officer of the capital administration of harassing them, said the official in the capital administration. A written complaint addressed to the administration was lodged but no serious attention was given to it.

The two-page complaint having signatures of 12 polio workers addressed to the chief commissioner demanded an investigation into the allegation.

“We left our houses at 7am for duty and completed our work and went to a meeting at 5pm,” they stated.

“But we had to wait for two to three hours as the senior officer came for the meeting at 8pm and concluded the meeting at 10pm.”

The women called for the removal of the senior officer who they said was “frustrated” and a “sadist” and had no respect for others. Besides, he had no manners to talk to women.

On Tuesday, the deputy commissioner issued an audio message stating that after receiving the complaint action was taken immediately and a meeting was called. Reservations of the complainants were listened. The women said they were mistreated and it was hard for them to work under such conditions.

They were told that it was a national cause and we have to work as a team, the DC said, adding the capital administration would look after them if they worked late in the evening. “That’s why a cash reward of Rs10,000 was announced for those who worked more and covered refuel cases,” he added.

“I have talked to six to seven persons about the issue and found contents of the complaint to be fake. The senior officer never used any offensive language or humiliate anyone.”

The DC added: “However, I will inquire the matter further,” adding information would be collected from the other 60 to 70 participants of the meeting.”

An official said till Wednesday there was no inquiry over the complaint but all of a sudden the probe was conducted and a report prepared the same day.

But the chief commissioner rejected the report after some of the complainants along with other polio workers threatened to approach higher authorities for justice.

An order issued from the office of the chief commissioner on Thursday said: “Enclosed please find a complaint made by lady workers raising serious allegation against one of the officers working under your supervision which calls for a serious and immediate probe.

“You are requested to thoroughly inquire the matter and submit a report within three days after personally hearing all concerned. The report shall consist of your own findings and clear recommendations,” said the order to the DC.

Published in Dawn, May 3rd, 2019