FOSPAH Rules Against Federal Urdu University VC for Sexist Remarks, Terms Comments as Workplace Harassment

Multan (Special Correspondent) — In a landmark ruling, the Federal Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) has declared that making derogatory and prejudiced remarks about women constitutes workplace harassment.

The decision was issued against Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari, Vice Chancellor of the Federal Urdu University, who repeatedly made disparaging comments about women faculty members, saying that “when women reach the age of 35, they undergo hormonal changes that affect their mental balance and make them a problem for others.”

Federal Ombudsman Fauzia Waqar, in her written judgment, stated that such remarks are “derogatory, sexist, and insulting to women, undermining their self-esteem.” She emphasized that university heads and institutional leaders bear a special responsibility to promote gender sensitivity and respect in professional environments.

“Ignorance or lack of understanding cannot be used as an excuse,” the decision reads, adding that associating women’s professional competence with hormonal changes amounts to “harassment and gender discrimination.”

FOSPAH has imposed a penalty of censure on the Vice Chancellor and directed the university syndicate to monitor his behavior to ensure that “such incidents do not recur.”