The Lahore High Court rejected a petition by a university assistant professor contesting his firing on grounds of sexual harassment.
According to a report in Dawn News, the professor, Asif Saleem harassed a female student at the University of Lahore. After the student reported the incident, an inquiry was held in the matter and Asif was fired under the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2012.
In his petition, the professor claimed that his firing was “illegal and against the law and facts”, adding that he wasn’t given a chance to defend himself.
Dismissing the petition, Justice Jawad Hassan said that the work environment for women in a male dominated society like Pakistan was hostile, which already held them back from from seeking employment.
He added that it is our constitutional duty to protect women and to ensure that they are free to take part in “all spheres of national life”.
According to a report in Dawn News, the professor, Asif Saleem harassed a female student at the University of Lahore. After the student reported the incident, an inquiry was held in the matter and Asif was fired under the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Amendment) Act, 2012.
In his petition, the professor claimed that his firing was “illegal and against the law and facts”, adding that he wasn’t given a chance to defend himself.
Dismissing the petition, Justice Jawad Hassan said that the work environment for women in a male dominated society like Pakistan was hostile, which already held them back from from seeking employment.
He added that it is our constitutional duty to protect women and to ensure that they are free to take part in “all spheres of national life”.