Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment

𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐦𝐛𝐮𝐝𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 | 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐞 🇮🇹

Honourable Federal Ombudsperson, Ms. Fauzia Viqar represented Pakistan🇵🇰 at the two day International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) Conference being held at the Italian Parliament in Rome on 28–29 May 2026 alongside ombuds institutions and global stakeholders.

In the opening session titled “𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧𝐬’ 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬”, Ms. Fauzia Viqar highlighted emerging digital risks including deepfakes, manipulated images, voice cloning and synthetic explicit content used to harass, intimidate or silence women. Attention was drawn to secure evidence submission, early preservation of digital material, strict confidentiality and coordinated engagement with relevant authorities alongside strengthened institutional accountability in safeguarding citizens’ rights.

She further underscored that the Rome Declaration advances efforts to bridge shared concern with strengthened institutional capacity in responding to emerging governance challenges.

Building on this, at the national level, Ms. Fauzia Viqar noted that Pakistan’s experience through reflects both the opportunities & complexities of digital transformation in a developing democracy, with protections expanding across new forms of work, communication and administration, while rights in the digital age require strengthened safeguards, enhanced institutional tools and sustained attention to accessibility and accountability. Institutional legitimacy, she added, depends not on technological advancement but on whether citizens feel heard, protected and visible, with digitalization enabling faster, safer, more accountable and more humane access to justice.

The address concluded with a call for continued institutional commitment to strengthening justice systems in the digital age.

Message From Federal Ombudsperson FOSPAH

"On the blessed occasion of Eid‑ul‑Adha, I extend heartfelt greetings to all those celebrating across the globe. This sacred festival reminds us of the values of sacrifice, compassion, and unity, principles that strengthen our communities and guide us toward justice and harmony.⁠
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At the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), we remain committed to fostering workplaces that embody dignity, respect, and equality. ⁠
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Just as Eid-ul-Adha teaches us the spirit of selflessness and care for others, we strive to ensure that every individual can contribute to society in an environment free from fear and discrimination.⁠
May this Eid bring peace, prosperity, and renewed resolve to uphold fairness and humanity in all spheres of life.⁠"
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Eid Mubarak!⁠
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Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) invites applications from students of law, administration, IT, and media disciplines for its Summer Internship Program 2026, taking place from 15th June to 15th August 2026.
This program is designed for final‑year students who wish to engage with a federal public sector institution and understand its role in promoting respect, dignity, and equal opportunities in workplaces across Pakistan.

Apply Here: https://forms.gle/YNM1VLmAr8eRmw4a8
Application deadline: 05th June 2026

Note: Fresh Graduates can apply as well.

Workplace protections are only as strong as the awareness that sustains them. When professionals across industries understand the law, they become the first line of defense against harassment. True accountability requires not just legal provisions, but informed communities ready to uphold them.

The FOSPAH Regional Office Lahore collaborated with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and the CA Women Committee, engaging more than a hundred participants in an awareness session.

Ma’am Fauzia Viqar, the Honourable Ombudsperson, delivered the opening statement, underscoring the importance of public awareness. Ms. Noor Fatimah, Assistant Law Officer, explained the two distinct categories of harassment recognized under the Harassment Act of 2010, while Ms. Lubna Ali, Legal Advisor Lahore, responded to participants’ queries.

From ICAP, Ms. Ammara Gondal (Council Member), Ms. Nazia Akmal (Senior Manager), and other members actively participated. Pertinent questions were raised regarding the role of Inquiry Committees and the status of independent audit clients. It was clarified that under the relevant legal framework, the employer–employee relationship extends to independent audit clients as well.

Why do workplace protections falter despite progressive laws?
Because systems, not intentions, determine whether justice is delivered. When institutions fail to safeguard complainants, silence becomes the norm and inclusion remains aspirational. True equity requires not just awareness, but structures that uphold accountability.

FOSPAH’s Regional Head, Sindh, Ms. Sabika Shah, addressed WIBCON 2026, The Inclusive Shift, hosted by PSTD in Karachi.

Speaking on behalf of the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), she highlighted how institutional design choices determine whether workplace harassment laws truly translate into practice, from the constitution of inquiry committees to the protection of complainants throughout the life of a case.

What defines a truly safe workplace? It is one where respect is non‑negotiable, rights are protected, and accountability is embedded in every level of management. Harassment undermines these foundations, silencing voices and eroding trust. Raising awareness is therefore not just a legal obligation but a societal responsibility.

The Regional Head, Ms. Lubna Ali, and Assistant Registrar, Mr. Hassan Nadeem, from the Regional Office of FOSPAH Lahore, visited Interloop Limited, Faisalabad to conduct awareness sessions on workplace harassment under the relevant laws and policies.

The sessions focused on creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment while addressing critical questions relating to workplace harassment, employee rights, complaint mechanisms, inquiry procedures, confidentiality, protection against retaliation, and the responsibilities of management and employees in preventing harassment.

What happens when harassment is ignored in workplaces? Productivity declines, trust erodes, and the very culture of accountability collapses.

In Pakistan, where institutions are striving to strengthen transparency and integrity, protecting employees from harassment is not only a legal requirement but a societal necessity. Safe workplaces empower individuals to speak, perform, and contribute without fear, ensuring that organizations remain credible and just.

The team from FOSPAH Regional Office Lahore, comprising Ms. Lubna Ali, Legal Advisor Lahore, and Mr. Hassan Nadeem, Assistant Registrar Lahore, visited Klash Private Limited Faisalabad, whose customers include NEXT, MANGO, Marks & Spencer, and ZARA, to conduct an awareness session under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

WE'RE HIRING!
Assistant Law Officer (Quetta)

The Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (FOSPAH) has announced an opening for the position of Assistant Law Officer at its Regional Office, Quetta.

Applications are invited from qualified and experienced individuals to join FOSPAH’s mission of safeguarding workplaces against harassment.
The appointment will be on a contract basis for six (06) months, extendable subject to performance.

- Application Deadline: 04th June 2026
- Apply Online: https://forms.gle/9uiTyBrWMLPacKo97

Safe workplaces are everyone’s right.
FOSPAH Regional Office Lahore held an awareness session on harassment at workplace at Metro Pvt. Limited, part of the global organization METRO AG.

Ms. Lubna Ali, Regional Head Lahore and Legal Advisor, engaged participants by addressing their queries on protections under the law. Noor Fatimah, Assistant Law Officer, presented key provisions of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, complaint procedures, and redressal mechanisms.

Participants were sensitized on building respectful and inclusive workplaces, understanding harassment from the victim’s perspective, and the importance of timely reporting. Senior officials and employees appreciated the initiative and actively contributed to the discussion.

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are among the most vulnerable groups to harassment in the workplace. Their unique challenges ranging from mobility constraints to communication barriers often expose them to heightened risks of exploitation, discrimination, and abuse.
These vulnerabilities are further compounded in digital spaces, where women and girls with disabilities face targeted online violence, exclusion, and harassment that undermine their dignity and right to equal participation.

At the recent orientation and panel discussion on “Digital Safety (TFGBV) for Women and Girls with Disabilities”, organized by the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) in collaboration with STEP and UNFPA Pakistan, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, Ombudsperson FOSPAH, joined as a distinguished guest speaker; and reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to advancing protection against harassment, amplifying the voices of PWDs, and working collaboratively with national and international partners to build safer, more inclusive workplaces and digital environments.