Karachi: The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) has strongly condemned the Board of Directors of K-Electric for allegedly supporting CEO Moonis Alvi, who has been found guilty in a sexual harassment case by the Sindh Ombudsman.
WAF welcomed the Ombudsman’s landmark decision, calling it a crucial step in protecting the dignity of working women across Pakistan.
In its official statement, WAF said that despite a thorough five-year legal process and a clear ruling, the KE Board and HR department failed to initiate any internal investigation. Instead, the female complainant was terminated from her job—highlighting institutional failure and gender injustice.
The Women’s Action Forum (WAF) has raised serious concerns regarding K-Electric’s handling of workplace harassment and broader governance issues. A key allegation is the complete absence of female representation on the company’s board, which WAF points out is in direct violation of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) regulations mandating gender diversity in corporate boards. This lack of compliance, according to WAF, reflects poorly on K-Electric’s commitment to inclusion and accountability.
WAF has also accused the board of shielding a proven harasser, emphasizing that despite the Ombudsman’s ruling confirming the harassment, the CEO, Moonis Alvi, remains in office. The forum highlights that no internal accountability mechanisms have been triggered, which they argue undermines both legal norms and social justice.
Furthermore, WAF criticized the Sindh High Court’s issuance of a 24-hour ex-parte stay order in favor of the CEO, granted on what they describe as a “jurisdictional technicality.” This decision is particularly troubling, WAF notes, given that the same court had previously affirmed its jurisdiction over the matter in 2021.
Adding to their concerns, WAF condemned what they describe as a coordinated defamation campaign against the harassment complainant. They allege that a public relations network tied to K-Electric is actively engaged in character assassination through social media platforms and WhatsApp groups, thereby further victimizing the complainant and discouraging future whistleblowers.
In response, WAF has issued a series of demands aimed at restoring accountability and public trust. These include the immediate suspension of CEO Moonis Alvi pending the conclusion of the legal appeal process. They have also called on recipients of awards and honors from K-Electric to return them in protest—a symbolic gesture WAF hopes will pressure the company into action.
Additionally, the forum is demanding an independent audit and investigation into K-Electric’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, its handling of sexual harassment complaints, and the alleged misuse of female employees in corporate PR campaigns.
WAF concluded its statement by warning that continued support for Moonis Alvi by the K-Electric board would render them complicit in enabling workplace harassment. The forum's demands and accusations signal a broader call for corporate accountability, gender equity, and ethical governance within Pakistan’s corporate sector.
