LAHORE: A petit
ion requesting removal of Federal Ombudsperson for Pr
otection against Harassment at Workplace Kashmala Tariq from her post has been filed in the Lahore High Court.
According to the petitioner Advocate Abdullah Malik, Tariq was appointed as the ‘ombudsperson against the constitution and law’. The lawyer claimed that Kashmala’s appointment was made on the basis of ‘favouritism’ and that it is in vi
olation of transparency and level playing field.
It was further added that a retired high court judge or a senior lawyer was eligible for the position, which Kashmala Tariq does not fulfill the conditions of.
It was further st
ated that Tariq’s appointment was a vi
olation of the law and the constitution. It was also requested that Kashmala be removed from her pos
t and an eligible person be instated in her place.
Moreover, the petitioner said that a copy of the petition will also be sent to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for further actions, so observance of meri
t and accountability is ensured.
On February 28, the former Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) lawmaker took oath as the federal ombudsperson on pr
otection against harassment of women at workplace.
President Mamnoon Hussain administered the oath. Soon after taking oath, Kashmala said her first initiative would be to create awareness about harassment. “We will launch a social campaign both for men and women.”
