Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Expressing annoyance over reported “inaction” by the Federal Investigation Agency on a harassment complaint filed by a woman at the Pakistan Citizens’ Portal, Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered the FIA director-general to investigate the matter and initiate “disciplinary action” against the officials responsible for the neglect. A letter issued by the Prime Minister House to the FIA said the woman had filed a harassment complaint on the citizens’ portal at least five times between December 2019 and June 2021, but it remained unaddressed.
The woman, after reportedly getting no response from the FIA, approached the PM House on June 15, 2021, with her husband against the FIA officials who, according to her, didn’t pay heed to her complaints, which as a result galvanized the premier into action. The woman also left her job at a university due to the alleged harassment and lodged a complaint with the FIA, but to no avail. She also reportedly tried to commit suicide due to the lackadaisical attitude of the FIA officials in resolving her complaint.
Taking notice of the lingering yet unattended complaint, the prime minister has now ordered a “high-level” inquiry into the matter and asked the FIA to ensure retribution to the officials found responsible in the probe. The premier also hinted at strict action against officials turning a blind eye to complaints filed on the citizens’ portal. The inquiry report of the case will be submitted to the PM on July 20, 2021.
