KP Ombudsperson attaches salaries of Islamia College VC, Registrar over non-compliance

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsperson Secretariat has ordered the attachment of the salaries of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of Islamia

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ombudsperson Secretariat has ordered the attachment of the salaries of the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of Islamia College University Peshawar over their alleged failure to comply with orders issued in a workplace harassment case.

According to official documents dated September 3 and 4, 2026, obtained by Minute Mirror, the Ombudsperson has also issued show-cause notices to both officials and initiated contempt proceedings over the alleged non-compliance. They have been directed to appear before the tribunal in person on September 10, 2026.

The matter relates to Complaint No. 1-168/2025, filed by Dr. Muhammad Aziz S/O Amir Baig of Hayatabad, Peshawar, against the Vice Chancellor, Registrar and other officials of Islamia College University Peshawar under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

Tribunal takes action

The order sheet states that a contempt petition was admitted on August 18, 2026, after the respondents allegedly failed to comply with directives issued by the tribunal on September 24 and December 26, 2025.

The tribunal subsequently directed the Treasurer of Islamia College University Peshawar, Fakhr-e-Alam Shah, to attach the salaries of the officials concerned.

The order further stated that fresh show-cause notices should be issued to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar and warned that failure to comply would result in further action under the law.

In a separate letter issued to the Treasurer on September 4, the Ombudsperson Secretariat instructed him to withhold the salaries of the concerned officers until further orders, citing their alleged non-compliance and failure to respond to directions issued by the office.

The development has raised questions over why orders issued by the provincial workplace harassment tribunal were not implemented by a major public-sector educational institution.

Concerns over enforcement

Legal practitioners and women’s rights advocates have expressed concern over the case, arguing that failure by senior university officials to comply with tribunal directives can weaken the effectiveness of the legal protections available to employees.

A senior lawyer dealing with workplace harassment matters in Peshawar said that attachment of salaries represents a serious enforcement measure and suggested that the situation reflected a significant dispute over institutional compliance.

A representative of a Peshawar-based women’s rights organisation also stressed the need for stronger implementation of the 2010 law, claiming that complaints in educational institutions can face delays because of weak inquiry mechanisms and fear of retaliation.

Experts identified several challenges, including inadequate awareness of the law, insufficient training of inquiry committee members, cultural pressure on complainants, and resistance within institutions to handling harassment complaints through formal legal procedures.

They called for regular awareness sessions, properly functioning inquiry committees, greater protection for complainants and stronger monitoring of compliance by relevant authorities.

Next hearing

The tribunal has fixed September 10, 2026, for the next hearing and warned that further legal proceedings may follow if its directions are not complied with.

Minute Mirror contacted Islamia College University Peshawar for its official position on the matter. Its response was awaited at the time of publication and will be incorporated if received.