K-Electric CEO Moonis AlviS Removal Halted by Sindh High Court Amid Harassment Allegations
Karachi, Pakistan – The Sindh High Court (SHC) has temporarily suspended an order that mandated the removal of K-Electric (KE) Chief Executive officer, Moonis Alvi, from his position. The provincial ombudsman for protection against harassment of women had previously found Alvi guilty of workplace harassment.
the decision to suspend the ombudsman’s order came after Alvi filed a petition with the SHC. His legal team argued that the complainant, former KE Chief Marketing and Dialog officer Mahreen Aziz Khan, had not presented any evidence of sexual or physical harassment, nor had she demonstrated gender-based discrimination within the company. The petition further stated that no allegations were made regarding alvi seeking sexual favors or creating a hostile work surroundings due to gender discrimination,noting that several women hold senior positions within KE.
Alvi’s lawyers also challenged the ombudsman’s jurisdiction,asserting that KE is a trans-provincial organization and that such complaints should fall under the purview of the federal ombudsman,not the provincial one. The SHC acknowledged this contention, stating that it “requires consideration.”
Consequently, the SHC has issued notices to the respondents and the sindh advocate general and deputy advocate general, scheduling a hearing for August 8. Until that date, the ombudsman’s order for Alvi’s removal remains suspended. However, the court has directed Alvi to deposit a Rs2.5 million penalty with the court’s nazir.The original complaint filed by Mahreen Aziz Khan accused Alvi,along with KE Chief People Officer Rizwan Dallia,Chief of Security retired Colonel Wahid asghar,and Board Member and Chairman of the Board HR Committee Khalid Rafi,of causing “harassment,intimidation and mental agony.” The ombudsman’s order had specifically cited Alvi for “committing harassment, creating a hostile environment and causing mental agony at the workplace to [Khan] and her team.” Alvi was penalized under Section 4(4)(ii)(c) of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, which included immediate removal from service and the aforementioned penalty as compensation to Khan.
