ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday remanded the case of the accused General Manager (GM) of PEMRA, who was awarded punishment ex-parte in a case of sexual harassment, to the Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) to give him an opportunity of hearing.  

The president gave these directions while deciding on a representation filed by the GM of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against the orders of FOSPAH, wherein he was found guilty of being an abettor to DG of PEMRA who was found guilty of sexually harassing a female colleague and was awarded the major penalty of “dismissal from service” and a fine of Rs 2.5 million by the president. 

He said that since FOSPAH decided the case ex-parte while the accused GM was on ex-Pakistan leave due to fear of threats to his life, therefore, he should be given a proper opportunity of being heard in line with the principles of natural justice. 

The president held that since the accused GM and his lawyer had assured his availability through video conference for recording the testimony and cross-examination, therefore, the case was remanded to FOSPAH for a de-novo hearing. 

He advised that the decision should be finalized within 60 days. 

President Alvi rejected the stance of the accused GM that he was not impleaded as a party in the original complaint preferred by the complainant and was only accused at a later stage. 

He observed that in social and cultural setting, where prevailing notions of family honour and taboos played a dominant role, it was not easy for a woman to speak up about such deeply disturbing incidents. 

“There is also the apprehension of counter-allegations hurled against her character by the delinquent. For these and other reasons, many cases of sexual harassment remain unreported. Victims of sexual harassment who exhibit the courage to report the matter against all odds should not, therefore, be turned away on the ground of delay in lodging the complaint”, the president added.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday signed three bills into law, after their passage by the parliament.

The president signed Export Import Bank of Pakistan Bill 2022 and Publication of Laws of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2022.

He also gave his assent to Diplomatic and Consular Officers (Oath and Fees) Amendment Bill 2022.

President Alvi assented the said three bills under Article 75 of the Constitution.

ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 (APP):The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked the candidates contesting the by elections on eight National and three Provincial Assembly seats to end their respective election campaigns until 12:00 am midnight Friday.

According to ECP, all the parties and their candidates had been directed to end their political campaign and public meetings from the midnight falling between Oct 14 and 15, 2022. While no candidate or party leader would address gatherings or corner meetings or take out processions in their respective constituencies after the deadline.

The political parties and the candidates must follow the provision of law and exercise self-restraint to enable polls could be held in peaceful manner on October 16, 2022. Legal action would be taken against those political leaders and parties on violating the rule.

By elections were being held in 11 constituencies including six constituencies of Punjab, three of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and two constituencies of Sindh on Sunday.

The constituencies included NA-22 Mardan-III, NA-24 Charsadda-II, NA-31 Peshawar-V, NA-108 Faisalabad-VIII, NA-118 Nankana Sahib -II, NA-237 Malir-II, NA-239, Korangi, Karachi-I. NA 157 Multan-IV. Provincial Assembly constituencies included PP-139, Sheikhupura-V, PP-209, Khanewal VII, and PP- 241 Bahawalnagar V. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan is contesting by elections in seven out of eight constituencies of National Assembly.

The by-polls in NA-45 Kurram-I has been postponed due to law and order situation and polling date will be announced later.
The NA seats were vacated after speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had, on July 28, accepted the resignations of PTI MNAs — nine on general seats and two on reserved seats for women.

The lawmakers whose resignations were ratified were part of more than 120 who had resigned from their NA seats en masse on April 11, two days after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted from the top office in a no-confidence vote.