SHC suspends order removing K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi over harassment, upholds fine

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended the Sindh Ombudsman’s decision to remove Syed Moonis Alvi from his post as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of K-Electric in a workplace harassment case, while upholding the Rs2.5 million fine imposed on him.

Yesterday (Thursday), Sindh Ombudsman for the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Justice (retd) Shah ruled that “Moonis Abdullah Alvi has committed harassment, created hostile environment and caused mental agony at the workplace to the complainant,” and ordered to remove him from his service “instantly.”

Today’s decision by the Ombudsman has been a challenging moment for the KE family, for our stakeholders and well-wishers alike.

On behalf of KE, want to state unequivocally: KE stands by the principles of truth, due process, and the values of a professional and respectful…

— Imran Rana, Spokesperson, K-Electric (@imranrana21) July 31, 2025

The harassment complaint was filed by Mehreen Aziz Khan under section 8 of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.

Alvi had challenged the ombudsman’s verdict in the SHC, where he appeared with his legal counsel. The court issued notices to the ombudsman and the complainant and directed Alvi to deposit the penalty amount with the court’s judicial officer (nazir).

After the ombudsman’ verdict, Moonis Alvi stated in an X post yesterday that he was reviewing the judgment with his legal counsel and intended to file an appeal. “I remain committed to ensuring that the truth is fully brought to light, through all lawful means available,” he stated, thanking colleagues and supporters for standing by him.

I have always upheld the values of integrity and dignity in professional interactions, and I deeply believe in fostering safe and inclusive workplaces for all.

The recent verdict is deeply distressing to me. While I respect the legal process and the institutions that
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— Moonis Alvi (@alvimoonis) July 31, 2025

In his petition filed with the SHC, Alvi denied the allegation levelled against him by Mehreen Aziz Khan, stating: “There was no allegation that the petitioner, being in a position of authority, sought out any sexual favour, nor any gender based discrimination was alleged or could be made out as several women are holding high-level positions within the organisation.”

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The bench questioned the legal basis of the provincial ombudsman’s authority.

Alvi’s lawyer argued that federal law governs such matters in Sindh, and the provincial ombudsman lacks jurisdiction.

The same was argued in Moonis Alvi’s petition: “The learned provincial ombudsman did not have jurisdiction over the affairs of a trans-provincial organisation such as KE and so also did not have jurisdiction to take cognisance on a complaint filed by an ex-employee.”

The court inquired what was wrong with the original decision, to which the lawyer responded that only the federal ombudsman had the legal authority to hear such cases, making the provincial ombudsman’s ruling invalid.

The SHC order

The SHC’s order noted that as per the petitioner, since the K-Electric was a “trans-provincial entity/establishment,” the Sindh Ombudsman had no jurisdiction to hear complaints against it. Federal ombudsman is the authority to address complaints against K-Electric, it stated.

“Contention raised requires consideration,” the SHC noted in its order, and directed to issued notices to the respondents, the Sindh advocate general and deputy advocate general for August 8.

“Till the next date of hearing, operation of the impugned decision will remain suspended,” the order reads.