The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday suspended a directive from the provincial ombudsman that directed the removal of K-Electric (KE) CEO Moonis Alvi due to allegations of workplace harassment.
The ombudsman’s order, issued a day earlier by retired Justice Shahnawaz Tariq, found Alvi guilty of harassing former KE Chief Marketing and Communication Officer Mahreen Aziz Khan.
In a petition filed with the SHC, Alvi’s legal team argued that Khan’s complaint lacked specific allegations of sexual or physical harassment and provided no evidence of gender-based discrimination within KE. The petition emphasized that KE employs several women in senior roles, negating claims of a hostile work environment or gender discrimination.
It further contended that the provincial ombudsman lacked jurisdiction over KE, a trans-provincial entity, and could not act on a complaint from a former employee. The SHC’s order cited prior rulings, including a July 29 decision in CP No D-3589/2025, affirming that complaints against trans-provincial entities fall under the federal ombudsman’s purview.
Referencing a 2015 judgment classifying KE as a trans-provincial organization, the court deemed the jurisdictional issue worthy of further consideration. The SHC issued notices to respondents, the advocate general of Sindh, and the deputy attorney general for a hearing on August 8, suspending the ombudsman’s decision until then.
However, Alvi was ordered to pay Rs2.5 million penalty to the court.
Khan’s complaint accused Alvi, KE Chief People Officer Rizwan Dallia, Chief of Security retired Colonel Wahid Asghar, and Board Member Khalid Rafi of causing harassment, intimidation, and mental distress.
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