Three new sexual assault cases surface at Islamabad Club

ISLAMABAD: Three harrowing sexual assault cases have recently surfaced at Islamabad Club, according to officials who spoke with the Hum Investigation Team. Despite the perpetrators being found guilty, these powerful men have seemingly escaped justice, raising serious concerns about accountability.

Who are these harassers, and did the victims receive justice? These are the questions the Hum Investigation Team sought to answer. Among the accused are two recently retired federal secretaries who allegedly assaulted women at Islamabad Club a few months ago. Both senior officers were found guilty following an investigation by the Club administration, resulting in the termination of their memberships. However, the victims are still awaiting justice.

In another incident, a retired military officer allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman at the Club. The officer reportedly became enraged when security personnel intervened. He, too, was proven guilty, and his membership was terminated, but the victim continues to struggle for justice.

These cases, thoroughly investigated by the Club administration, reveal a disturbing pattern of sexual harassment and assault. The officials did not mince words, acknowledging that these men openly harassed and assaulted women at the Club.

Also read: Islamabad police investigate high-profile sexual assault case

Earlier this week, another incident involved a close associate of a high-ranking officer at the President’s Secretariat, who allegedly assaulted a young woman at the Club. The officer in question reportedly pressured the victim to forgive the assailant, with several top bureaucrats attempting to cover up the incident. Despite this, a case has been registered, and a powerful committee has been formed to investigate.

The membership of the individual who invited the harasser — linked to a senior officer at the President’s Secretariat — has been suspended. These cases have plunged the Islamabad Club administration into controversy as powerful men attempt to evade consequences for their actions.

One of the victims shared her experience with the Hum Investigation Team, saying, “I’m in trauma and shock after being sexually assaulted at Islamabad Club. It was proven that the accused was guilty, but no real action was taken against him. His membership was terminated, but that’s it.”

The harassers did not respond to inquiries from the Hum Investigation Team. Meanwhile, the Club management maintained that they were addressing these incidents seriously.

Zafarullah Khan, head of the dispute committee at Islamabad Club, stated, “We are committed to maintaining strict rules and discipline to ensure a safe environment for our members and their families. There is absolutely no space for harassment, and strict actions have been taken against those involved in such behaviour.”

Regarding the most recent case, Khan confirmed that the membership of the accused has been suspended, and the matter has been referred to the disciplinary committee. However, despite these actions, powerful harassers continue to roam freely, with little more than terminated memberships as their only consequence.

These revelations come months after four women, including a female assistant manager at Islamabad Club, filed a sexual assault complaint against a powerful member.

In a tragic incident in 2017, a female employee of the Club committed suicide on the premises, highlighting the persistent issue of sexual misconduct within the institution.