ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday upheld a major penalty against a senior official of Pakistan Television (PTV) for sexual harassment of a makeup artist. The official was dismissed from service besides a fine of Rs1 million was also imposed.

According to the Presidency, the penalty was first imposed by the Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) against PTV’s General Manager (GM) Khalid Mehmood Lakhan after he was proved to be guilty of sexual harassment of a makeup artist of PTV Centre Multan.

The president rejected the representation filed by the GM PTV against the decision of FOSPAH, and said: “Both our religion and the law strongly discourage such acts and it is important to send a message to society, women workforce, anti-social and potential harassers through such decisions in sexual harassment cases that Pakistan would not tolerate such behaviour,” the president was quoted as saying.

President Alvi observed that the proceedings of the case were repeatedly adjourned as the accused adopted dilatory tactics.

The president highlighted that although the right to a fair trial was a well-recognised principle of justice, abuse of the process of law was also not allowed.

He said the ombudsman was left with no option but to decide the complaint on the basis of the available record and striking off the right of defence of the accused as it was the accused himself who had been dragging the proceedings.

“Since the accused declined to avail the opportunity, it must follow that he believed in the testimony produced by the opposite party. This is not a technical rule of evidence rather a rule of substantial justice,” he added.

“In Pakistan, it is important that we make public and job places secure for women enabling them to become equal citizens, move freely, get education and earn a living,” the president said.

Mr Alvi said the accused could claim such a liberty to proceed with the inquiry proceedings at his leisure and pleasure and has no right to avail himself unlimited opportunities for cross-examination of the complainant. He said that the Supreme Court of Pakistan, in another case, had also rightly observed that frequent adjournments were sought by the litigants but this tendency needed to be discouraged for expeditious disposal of cases as it was merely meant to prolong and delay the proceedings without any valid or legitimate rhyme or reason.

The president held that the ombudsman had rightly passed the order and no interference was warranted as it was based on law and facts, therefore, the representation of GM PTV was rejected.

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2023