Punjab governor dismisses appeal of official linked to sexual harassment

Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar on Thursday dismissed the appeal of Deputy Director (Planning) Asim Arsalan against sentencing in a sexual harassment case and decided the Lahore District Education Authority’s appeal against a decision of the Lahore Provincial Ombudsman. 

According to details, Mehnaz Nazar, a worker of the Population Welfare Punjab, was sexually harassed. The woman ombudsman gave the verdict against Asim Arsalan, Deputy Director for Planning and Population Welfare, Punjab. Asim filed an appeal to the Punjab governor against the decision of the Punjab Ombudsman, but the governor dismissed the appeal after hearing arguments of both parties. Upholding suspension of Asim’s increments for three years, Sarwar said that crimes like sexual harassment against women could not be tolerated under any circumstances. 

On the other hand, an appeal of the chief executive officer of the District Education Authority, Lahore, against the decision of the Provincial Ombudsman was also decided as per the concerned authority’s decision to appoint Syed Atir Hasnain to the Government High School, Jayabga, in Grade 11.

Later, the Punjab governor said in his New Year message, “I am sure that this year will be the year of development, unity and peace in Pakistan. This year too we are facing problems like coronavirus for which people also have to take all precautionary measures including full implementation of SOPs.

“In the beginning of the New Year, we pledge once again that we will continue to fully support the Kashmiri brothers and sisters on all fronts, including diplomacy, and Kashmiri people will surely see the sun of freedom soon.” 

He also appealed to the opposition parties to take the path of dialogue instead of chaos and disorder on the New Year so as to send a message to the enemies of Pakistan that “we are all one to protect national interests.