A man, Hassan Ali Khan Leghari, has been fined Rs1 million for sending indecent messages via WhatsApp in a case of online harassment. The fine follows a ruling by Pakistan’s Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPA) under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, after Leghari was found guilty of harassment against Syeda Gulbadan Shahid.
Initially, Leghari denied the accusations, but the ombudsperson’s decision concluded that his actions violated the laws designed to protect women from harassment. After the ruling, Leghari appealed to the President’s office, seeking to overturn the decision. However, his appeal was rejected, and the original fine remains in place.
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This confirmation of the ombudswoman’s ruling by the President’s office signals Pakistan’s commitment to enforcing laws against online harassment, setting an important legal precedent. The case highlights the growing importance of safeguarding individuals from harassment in both physical and digital work environments.
