Pakistan
Overview
Please review the information below and then return to the workplace harassment prevention course.
Harassment and discrimination based on a protected characteristic are prohibited under national law.
Applicable Laws
The primary national laws prohibiting employment discrimination and harassment on the basis of any protected characteristic are:
- The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and
- The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, Act No. IV of 2010, as amended by the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2022.
Protected Characteristics
Harassment or discrimination based on any characteristic set forth below is prohibited in Pakistan.
- Race
- Religion
- Caste
- Sex or gender
- Residence
- Place of birth
Regional, state or other political subdivision laws may provide additional, separate standards and remedies for certain prohibited conduct.
Definitions
Harassment
Harassment means:
- any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, stalking or cyber stalking or other verbal, visual or written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature or sexually demeaning attitudes, including any gestures or expression conveying derogatory connotation
- which causes interference with work performance, or, creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, or
- the attempt to punish the complainant for refusal to comply to such a request or that is made a condition for employment; or
- discrimination on basis of gender, which may or may not be sexual in nature, but which may embody a discriminatory and prejudicial mind set or notion, resulting in discriminatory behavior on basis of gender against the complainant.
Filing a Claim in Pakistan
A claim for workplace harassment must first be filed with an Inquiry Committee established by the employer.
A claim may also be filed with the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment or the relevant provincial Ombudsperson.
Employment discrimination and harassment claims may also be filed with a court.
Potential Remedies
In Pakistan, an employee who has experienced workplace harassment may be entitled to monetary and other remedies.
An employer may be required to impose minor penalties (such as censure or withholding of increments) or major penalties (such as demotion, compulsory retirement, dismissal, or fines) to correct or redress harassment.
Retaliation Prohibited
Employer retaliation against an employee who files a complaint relating to discrimination or harassment or is involved in the complaint process is unlawful.
The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only.
It does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice.