HSA controversy: representation before president awaits final outcome  

A representation submitted before the President of Pakistan has requested an early decision in a workplace harassment case involving

Islamabad: A representation submitted before the President of Pakistan has requested an early decision in a workplace harassment case involving Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan and Dr. Ayesha Khan, after the applicant claimed the matter remained pending despite the completion of hearings.

The application was addressed to the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan through the Secretary to the President, seeking directions for an early decision on Representation No. 18/WO/2026 pending before the Consultant to the President.

According to the application, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH) issued an order on 13 February 2026, dismissing Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan’s complaint and ordering his removal from service. The applicant later filed a representation under Section 9 of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.

The representation states that both parties appeared before the Consultant to the President and presented their arguments. After hearing the matter, the Consultant reserved the decision on 12 May 2026, but according to the application, the final decision has not yet been announced.

The applicant argued that unnecessary delay in deciding the representation is increasing difficulties and hardship, requesting that the matter be decided without further delay according to legal principles of timely justice.

The case relates to proceedings under the workplace harassment law involving Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan and Dr. Ayesha Khan. The President Secretariat had earlier issued hearing notices regarding the representation against the FOSPAH order dated 13 February 2026 in Complaint No. FOH HQR H/0341/2025.

The President Secretariat scheduled hearings before Mr. Justice (Retired) Irfan Qadir, Consultant Legal Affairs to the President, first on 2 April 2026 and later refixed the matter for 12 May 2026. The notices stated that the matter would be decided on the basis of available record.

The dispute has attracted attention because the representation challenges a previous order passed by FOSPAH, while the final decision on the pending matter remains awaited.

The available record shows that filing a representation does not itself establish innocence or final relief. The matter remains subject to examination under the applicable legal process, and the final outcome depends on the decision of the competent authority.