PIDE Vice Chancellor Dr. Nadeemul Haq Fined for Harassment of Female Employee

The Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Dr. Nadeemul Haq, has been fined Rs 500,000 for harassment following a formal complaint filed by a female staff member. Ambreen Qayyum, a staff economist at PIDE, accused Dr. Haq of abusing his authority and making derogatory remarks about women, particularly on social media.

Qayyum’s complaint outlined how Dr. Haq’s actions created a hostile work environment, including defamation through posts on X (formerly Twitter). She alleged that he used his position to attack her and other women publicly, contributing to a toxic atmosphere at PIDE.

After an investigation, the Federal Ombudsperson for the Prevention of Harassment, Fouzia Waqar, concluded that Dr. Haq’s behavior violated workplace harassment laws. The findings indicated that his actions were gender-discriminatory and harmful to female staff members.

In response, Dr. Haq was fined Rs 500,000. The fine is intended to hold him accountable for his actions and serve as a warning that harassment at work will not be tolerated, especially when it involves those in positions of responsibility. The decision also underscores the importance of a safe and respectful environment for all employees.