The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment has imposed a fine of Rs500,000 on a government officer for allegedly mocking a female colleague over not having children, repeatedly comparing her to the transgender community, and running a humiliating campaign against her on social media.
According to the detailed judgment issued by the Federal Ombudsperson, merely using a person’s ethnic or linguistic references does not automatically amount to harassment. However, when language is deliberately used to humiliate, ridicule, or defame someone on the basis of gender, it clearly constitutes harassment and discriminatory conduct.
The judgment stated that the record established the accused had carried out a systematic campaign against his female colleague, during which multiple offensive messages were published online.
It further noted that the officer repeatedly used derogatory terms, created the title of a fake book, and fabricated the name of its author and publication details in an attempt to make the complainant a target of mockery and humiliation.
The Federal Ombudsperson held that the accused repeatedly targeted the complainant’s personal life, particularly her inability to have children, and used insulting language by comparing her to the transgender community.
The decision said this conduct was intentionally discriminatory and degrading on the basis of gender, with the purpose of damaging the female colleague’s dignity and defaming her in the professional workplace.
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The judgment further observed that using terms associated with transgender identity as insults or abusive language is not merely discourteous but also promotes harmful stereotypes against a vulnerable and marginalized section of society. Such conduct, it added, negatively affects not only the individual concerned but also the dignity and social respect of the transgender community.
The Federal Ombudsperson emphasized that there is no room for discriminatory, insulting, or harassment-based behaviour in the professional environment of any public or private institution. Such actions not only violate workplace codes of conduct but are also contrary to the fundamental principles of maintaining a safe, dignified, and equal working environment.
While imposing a fine of Rs500,000 on the government officer, the Federal Ombudsperson stated that the ruling would serve as an important precedent in discouraging harassment, gender-based discrimination, and humiliating behaviour within government institutions.
