ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has upheld the dismissal of Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, former Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy, in a sexual harassment and assault case involving a female junior officer.
According to the Presidency, the President rejected Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan’s appeal and upheld the dismissal order issued against him. The decision of the Federal Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) was also maintained.
The Presidency said the proceedings established that Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan had misused his position and authority against a junior employee and student. It further stated that the allegations concerning the sudden dismissal and subsequent retaliation against Dr. Ayesha Khan had been established during the proceedings.
According to the President’s findings, the petitioner’s conduct had contributed to creating an extremely negative workplace environment. The Presidency observed that targeting and harassing a junior employee under the pretext of personal or emotional disputes was unacceptable.
The President has therefore upheld the penalty of dismissal against the former Vice Chancellor, with the decision to be implemented accordingly.
