In a major development that’s stirring corporate circles, the provincial ombudsman for protection against harassment of women at workplaces has ordered the immediate removal of K-Electric (KE) CEO Moonis Alvi after finding him guilty of workplace harassment.
The decision, issued on Thursday by Justice (R) Shahnawaz Tariq, follows a formal complaint by Mahreen Aziz Khan — KE’s former Chief Marketing and Communication Officer — who accused Alvi and several other senior executives of harassment, intimidation, and mental distress.
According to the ombudsman’s order, Alvi was found to have created a “hostile environment” and caused “mental agony” at the workplace. His actions, the order stated, fall under the scope of harassment defined in the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.
As a result, Alvi has been immediately removed from his position and slapped with a Rs2.5 million penalty, which is to be paid to Khan within 30 days. Failure to do so could lead to serious consequences — including recovery through land revenue laws, seizure of moveable and immoveable property, and even blocking of his CNIC and passport via NADRA and the Ministry of Interior.
This decision is self-executory, meaning it is enforceable without further legal procedures. In case of non-compliance, contempt proceedings will be initiated under the Act.
The ombudsman’s verdict clears the other three KE officials named in the complaint — Rizwan Dallia (Chief People Officer), Col (R) Wahid Asghar (Chief of Security), and Khalid Rafi (Board Member and Chairman HR Committee) — citing lack of direct evidence against them.
The high-profile ruling has triggered a wave of reactions online. Moonis Alvi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), expressed deep dismay at the verdict.
“I have always upheld the values of integrity and dignity in professional interactions, and I deeply believe in fostering safe and inclusive workplaces for all,” Alvi wrote. “The recent verdict is deeply distressing to me.”
While Alvi has the right to appeal the decision in high court, the ruling is already seen as a landmark moment in enforcing workplace accountability, especially in powerful corporate entities.
The case has drawn significant public interest not just due to the stature of the individuals involved, but also because of its broader implications for corporate governance, workplace ethics, and the power of legal recourse available to employees.
As the story unfolds, many are watching closely to see how K-Electric’s board responds, and whether this leads to a wider cultural shift within large organizations regarding harassment complaints.
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