Islamabad: Momina Asif, Communications Officer at the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (FOSPAH), has said that the federal body plays a vital role in ensuring accessible and expeditious justice, safeguarding dignity and promoting safe and equitable workplaces across Pakistan.
In a statement to the media, she explained that FOSPAH, a federal quasi-judicial institution established under the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, and the Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act, 2013, investigates complaints relating to harassment, gender-based discrimination and other workplace grievances. It provides timely redressal and upholds the constitutional and legal rights of women.
She said the Federal Ombudsperson’s mandate covers complaints related to federal institutions or trans-provincial organisations, including public and commercial enterprises regulated federally and operating in more than one province. Matters falling exclusively under provincial jurisdiction are dealt with by the respective Provincial Ombudspersons or other authorised institutions.
Highlighting FOSPAH’s outreach efforts, Momina Asif announced that the Secretariat is working to establish a regional office in Gilgit-Baltistan. In this regard, the Federal Ombudsperson has held meetings with the Governor and Chief Minister of GB to finalise arrangements for the office. She said the move aligns with FOSPAH’s broader vision of strengthening its presence across all provinces and regions, as already done in other parts of the country.
According to her, the upcoming regional office will enable citizens of Gilgit-Baltistan employed in federal or trans-provincial organisations to have direct access to FOSPAH’s services, making it easier to file cases within the Federal Ombudsperson’s mandate while ensuring jurisdictional clarity.
Through these proactive measures, FOSPAH reiterates its commitment to providing an environment of dignity, equality and justice at workplaces across Pakistan.
