The Ministry of Defence has taken a proactive stance in implementing sexual harassment laws within its organization. On June 25th, 2024, the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, organized an enlightening seminar on "Protection Against Harassment." The event was attended by Mr. Fahim Zafar Khan Senior Joint Secretary, Mr. Arshad Mehmood Joint Secretary, Mr. Shahzad Ahmed Joint Secretary, and other staff from the MOD and Navy.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Tahir Pervez, the Deputy Secretary of Defence commended Ms. Fauzia Viqar Honorable Ombudsperson for her advocacy of women's empowerment, equal rights, and creating harassment-free workplaces.

In her address Ms. Viqar elaborated on the mission and vision of FOSPAH, emphasizing the critical importance of consent and drawing a clear line against harassment.

The legal team from FOSPAH delivered a comprehensive presentation on FOSPAH’s mandate and operations, covering crucial topics such as harassment as a criminal offense, the rights of the Accused, timely reporting procedures, handling unwelcome advances, and the role of Inquiry Committees. The session concluded with a robust question and answer segment, where attendees engaged in detailed discussions on these vital issues.

The seminar underscored a commitment to zero tolerance against harassment, marking a significant step towards fostering a safer and respectful work environment within the Ministry of Defence.