Legal Help · Published July 15, 2026
Workplace Harassment Laws in Pakistan
Every organization is legally required to have a way to hear this complaint — here's exactly how the process is supposed to work.
Quick answer
Under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, every organization must have an Inquiry Committee. You can file a complaint through your supervisor, a union nominee, or directly with the Committee. The accused gets a charge sheet within 3 days and a chance to respond, and either party can appeal the decision to the Ombudsperson within 30 days — with a further, final representation to the Governor possible in some cases.
Four steps, in order
Step 1 — Every organization must have an Inquiry Committee
Under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, each organization is required to constitute an Inquiry Committee specifically to receive and examine harassment complaints.
Step 2 — File your complaint through any of several channels
You can make a formal complaint through your supervisor, a CBA (union) nominee, a workers' representative, or directly to any member of the Inquiry Committee — there's more than one entry point into the process.
Step 3 — The accused gets a formal charge and a chance to respond
A charge sheet or statement of allegations must be conveyed to the accused within three days, and the inquiry proceeds after their written defense is received — both sides are heard as part of the process.
Step 4 — Two levels of appeal exist beyond the Inquiry Committee
Either party can appeal the Inquiry Committee's decision to the Ombudsperson within 30 days, and if the Ombudsperson decides the case directly, a further representation can go to the Governor within 30 days of that decision — whose ruling is final.
Why "your organization doesn't have a committee" isn't the end of the road
The Punjab Ombudsperson's own complaint process page makes clear that the Ombudsperson's office exists specifically as a backstop — if an organization hasn't properly constituted an Inquiry Committee, or its process fails, a complaint can still be escalated to the Ombudsperson directly. This is important because smaller organizations sometimes haven't set up a compliant Committee at all, which shouldn't be treated as meaning there's nowhere to go.
It's also worth knowing the process is designed to move relatively quickly — the three-day charge sheet requirement and the 30-day appeal windows are meant to keep harassment complaints from dragging on indefinitely, which is different from how slower civil litigation typically works.
What Wakeel.org can help with
Explaining the complaint and appeal process, and helping you organize your facts before you file — privately and without judgment.
What it cannot do
It cannot file the complaint or represent you before the Inquiry Committee or Ombudsperson — a licensed advocate should handle that.
Frequently asked questions
How do I file a workplace harassment complaint in Pakistan?
Under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, you can file a complaint through your supervisor, a union/CBA nominee, a workers' representative, or directly to a member of your organization's Inquiry Committee, which every organization is required to have.
What happens after I file a harassment complaint at work?
The accused receives a formal charge sheet within three days and submits a written defense, after which the Inquiry Committee conducts its inquiry, hearing both sides before reaching a decision.
Can I appeal an Inquiry Committee's harassment decision?
Yes. Either the complainant or the accused can appeal to the Ombudsperson within 30 days of the Inquiry Committee's decision, and the Ombudsperson must decide the appeal within 30 days of receiving it.
Is there a final level of appeal beyond the Ombudsperson?
If the Ombudsperson decides a case directly, either party can make a representation to the Governor within 30 days of that decision — the Governor's decision on that representation is final.
Can Wakeel.org help me file a workplace harassment complaint?
Wakeel.org can explain how the Inquiry Committee and appeal process generally works and help you organize the facts. It cannot file the complaint on your behalf or represent you before the Committee or the Ombudsperson — a licensed advocate should handle that.
General educational information, not legal advice. See our full disclaimer.
Sources — check these directly to verify
Facing workplace harassment?
Ask Wakeel how the complaint process generally works — then verify with a licensed advocate before you file.