Man Fined Rs1 Million for Sending Inappropriate Messages on WhatsApp

A man was fined Rs1 million for sending inappropriate messages on WhatsApp, with the President’s office upholding the decision issued by the Federal Ombudswoman.

After sending offensive communications to the complainant, Syeda Gulbadan Shahid, Hassan Ali Khan Leghari was convicted of harassment under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act.

The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment in Pakistan, known as FOSPA, declared Leghari guilty after he initially denied the charges. After the ombudswoman’s decision, Leghari made an appeal to the President’s office to try to change the outcome.

Unfortunately, his appeal was denied, thus the original decision and fine stand. The President’s office’s support of the ombudswoman’s decision sets a new standard for the legal response to digital harassment and demonstrates Pakistan’s resolve to enforce laws against online harassment.

According to the federal ombudsperson’s spokeswoman, Leghari’s comments violated regulations meant to protect women from harassment in the workplace.

With the case’s confirmation at the highest level, the country’s position against harassment in the workplace, whether online or off, is further reaffirmed.