Rights activist and lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir filed a grievance letter with the Islamabad High Court (IHC). She cited inaction on her complaint of workplace harassment against Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar. The letter, addressed to Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, was reported by Dawn.
On September 15, Mazari filed a harassment complaint under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, targeting Justice Dogar. The complaint followed his alleged threat of contempt and remarks about “getting a hold of her.” Multiple lawyers’ bodies condemned Dogar and demanded his removal.
Mazari noted that the law requires charges to be communicated to the accused within three days of arrest. A defence should be submitted within seven. “I am unaware of the status of my complaint,” she wrote, urging urgent action. She also called the reassignment of Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz, who initially handled the case, to Justice Minhas “unlawful,” alleging Dogar abused his authority.
Read: Imaan Mazari Files SJC Complaint Against IHC Chief Justice Dogar
Mazari claimed ongoing reprisals by Dogar. On September 16, her client, Mahrang Baloch’s case, was heard by Dogar. This occurred despite a request to transfer it due to the complaint. “No woman should face her alleged harasser,” Mazari argued, citing violations of the 2010 Act.
Mazari’s request to preserve CCTV footage from September 11, 2025, between 9 AM and 11 AM in Dogar’s courtroom remains unanswered. She stressed its importance as evidence of the incident and sought immediate intervention.
Mazari’s case highlights workplace harassment issues in Pakistan’s judiciary, a critical institution. Gallup Pakistan (2024) indicates that 68% of citizens value their independence. The delay and alleged reprisals raise concerns about judicial accountability and women’s rights in professional settings.
