ISLAMABAD: A man has been fined Rs one million for sending indecent messages via WhatsApp, with the President’s office upholding the Federal Ombudsperson’s decision against him.
Hassan Ali Khan Leghari was found guilty of harassment under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act after sending inappropriate messages to Syeda Gulbadan Shahid, the complainant.
Although Leghari initially denied the allegations, the Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPA) determined he was at fault.
After the ombudsperson’s ruling, Leghari appealed to the President’s office in an attempt to overturn the decision. However, his appeal was rejected, and the original ruling, including the fine, stands.
The President’s office’s confirmation of the ombudsperson’s verdict highlights Pakistan’s commitment to enforcing laws against online harassment, setting an important precedent in addressing digital misconduct.
A spokesperson for the federal ombudsperson emphasized that Leghari’s actions violated workplace protection laws designed to safeguard women from harassment.
With this ruling now reaffirmed at the highest level, the case is seen as a strong reinforcement of Pakistan’s stance against harassment, both in physical and digital workplaces.
