Harassment allegation substantiated; K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi ordered to remove

Karachi: The Provincial Ombudsman Sindh for Protection against harassment of women at the Workplace has issued a landmark decision in a high-profile workplace harassment case involving K-Electric’s top executive.

Ms. Mahreen Aziz Khan, former Chief Marketing and Communication Officer at K-Electric, filed a formal complaint under Section 8 of the protection against harassment of women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

She accused Moonis Abdullah Alvi (CEO), Muhammad Rizwan Dalia (Chief People Officer), Col (R) Wahid Asghar (Chief of Security), and Khalid Rafi (Board Member and Chairman HR Committee) of harassment, intimidation, and causing mental agony.

After a detailed inquiry, Justice (R) Shahnawaz Tariq, the Ombudsperson, found Moonis Abdullah Alvi guilty of harassment and creating a hostile work environment under Sections 2(h) and 4(4)(ii)(c) of the Act.

He has been immediately removed from his position and fined Rs. 25,00,000 as compensation to the complainant. In the event of non-payment within 30 days, the fine will be recovered through seizure of moveable and immoveable assets, and his CNIC and passport will be blocked via NADRA and the Ministry of Interior.

However, the allegations against the other three accused – Rizwan Dalia, Col (R) Wahid Asghar, and Khalid Rafi – were dismissed due to lack of direct evidence.