Ms. Fauzia Viqar, Pakistan’s Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment, held a meeting with Additional Inspector General of Police for South Punjab, Muhammad Kamran Khan, in Multan. The discussions centered around strengthening measures to protect female inmates, advocating for their rights, dignity, and overall welfare, and promoting institutional accountability and gender-sensitive practices within law enforcement and correctional facilities.
During the meeting, Ms. Fauzia Viqar underlined the mandate of the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH). She highlighted the urgent necessity of enhancing protection mechanisms for women detained in correctional institutions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their dignity and ensuring their safety and basic rights.
In attendance alongside Ms. Viqar and Additional IGP Khan were City Police Officer (CPO) Multan, Mr. Sadiq Ali Dogar, other senior police officials from the region, and Ms. Fareeha Ashraf, Superintendent of the Multan Women’s Jail. The officials participated actively in the dialogue, acknowledging the need for coordinated efforts to implement stronger safeguards against harassment.
Ms. Viqar underscored the importance of institutional accountability and the adoption of gender-responsive measures across police departments and correctional facilities. These steps are essential to ensuring adherence to anti-harassment laws, protecting women’s human rights, and fostering safer workplace and custodial environments.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment towards accelerating action against harassment and safeguarding women’s rights in detention settings, in line with FOSPAH’s ongoing mission and nationwide awareness campaigns.
#SayNoToHarassment #NoExcuse #AccelerateAction #StandUpSpeakOut #FOSPAH
