Dr. Nadeemul Haq, the Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) in Islamabad, has been fined Rs. 500,000 by the Federal Ombudsperson for the Prevention of Harassment. The fine comes after a formal complaint was filed by economist Ambreen Qayyum, accusing Dr. Haq of harassment and defamation.
According to the complaint, Dr. Haq allegedly abused his authority and made derogatory comments about women on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The Federal Ombudsperson, Fouzia Waqar, investigated the case and found Dr. Haq guilty of violating workplace harassment laws.
The ruling emphasized that Dr. Haq’s actions were inappropriate and against workplace standards. As a result, he was held accountable for his behavior and fined. This decision highlights the importance of addressing workplace harassment and ensuring that individuals in positions of power are not exempt from the law.
The case also sheds light on the ongoing issue of gender discrimination and harassment in professional settings. It serves as a reminder that social media platforms are not an exception to maintaining professionalism and respect.
The Federal Ombudsperson’s decision reinforces the commitment to creating safer workplaces for everyone, particularly women. It sends a strong message that harassment of any kind will not be tolerated, and those found guilty will face consequences for their actions.
