SLIC officer penalised for online abuse
The complainant, Urooj Wahid, had filed a complaint under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, alleging inappropriate and unsolicited messages from Kamran Channa, Assistant General Manager, which included sexually suggestive comments.
While Kamran admitted to sending the messages, he contested the findings of FOSPAH, which had imposed the major penalty of removal from service along with a fine of Rs300,000. Channa filed a representation with the President of Pakistan.
According to the spokesperson for FOSPAH, upon personal appearance at the hearing before the president, Channa expressed unreserved regret and issued a public apology to both Urooj and her mother, without presenting any further defence.
The president, after hearing both parties and acknowledging the complainant's mental and professional hardship, affirmed the factual findings of harassment, converting the penalty of removal from service into compulsory retirement, citing Channa's 29 years of previously unblemished service as a mitigating factor.
However, in a powerful gesture of support for survivors, the President enhanced the compensation to Rs1million, recognising the mental trauma and forced resignation endured by Urooj.
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