Imaan Mazari Demands Action on Harassment Complaint
ISLAMABAD: Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari has filed a grievance letter over what she called “inaction” on her workplace harassment complaint against Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar.
The case has already sparked strong reactions, with several lawyers’ bodies condemning the IHC chief justice’s remarks and calling for his dismissal.
Complaint Under Workplace Harassment Law
On September 15, Mazari approached an IHC inquiry committee and the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), filing a complaint under Section 4 of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010.
Initially, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz took cognisance of the complaint. However, the IHC administration soon removed her authority to hear harassment cases, replacing her with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas. Mazari later challenged this move before the SJC, calling it an unlawful attempt by the accused to influence the process.
Allegations of Abuse of Authority
In her grievance letter, addressed to Justice Minhas, Mazari stressed that the competent authority under the 2010 Act must communicate charges within three days and receive a written defense within seven days.
“I am unaware of the status of my complaint, as I have not been informed by the competent authority in this regard,” Mazari wrote. She urged “clear urgency” to address the matter.
She also argued that the change in authority amounted to abuse of position, adding that reprisal actions by CJ Dogar were ongoing.
Client’s Case and Courtroom Concerns
According to Mazari, her client Mahrang Baloch’s case was fixed before CJ Dogar on September 16. Although her proxy counsel requested a transfer due to the pending complaint, the chief justice refused.
Mazari argued this forced her to appear before her alleged harasser, contrary to the workplace harassment law. She called the refusal a “brazen abuse of authority” aimed at shielding the judge from accountability.
Call for Preservation of CCTV Footage
Mazari also reiterated her demand for preservation of CCTV footage from September 11, 2025, between 9am and 11am in Courtroom No.1, where the incident reportedly occurred.
She noted that her earlier application to the IHC registrar had gone unanswered, stressing that the footage was “crucial evidence” for the inquiry.
What Happens Next
The grievance underscores growing tensions within the IHC as calls for accountability mount. With the matter now before the SJC, pressure is building for a transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations.
About The Truth International
The Truth International (TTI), based in Islamabad, is a private organization, doing research work/projects and running its print and digital media wing _ a website, a fortnightly magazine, a YouTube Channel, and social media pages on all platforms. Stay up to date by staying connected to The Truth International.
