According to the Spokesperson to the President, a representation was duly received in the President’s Secretariat under the relevant legal provisions. As per Section 14(2) of the Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act, 2013, the filing of such a representation automatically suspends the operation of the impugned order for a period of sixty days
DNA
ISLAMABAD, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 — The President’s Secretariat has issued a formal clarification debunking social media rumors claiming that the Vice Chancellor of the Health Services Academy (HSA) has been granted relief or reinstated following a representation against a harassment-related order.
The statement comes in response to widespread speculation on social platforms suggesting that the President had cleared or provided final relief to the accused official in a case decided by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace.
According to the Spokesperson to the President, a representation was duly received in the President’s Secretariat under the relevant legal provisions. As per Section 14(2) of the Federal Ombudsmen Institutional Reforms Act, 2013, the filing of such a representation automatically suspends the operation of the impugned order for a period of sixty days. This suspension is a mandatory statutory requirement and does not imply that the individual has been exonerated of the charges, finally reinstated, or granted any substantive relief.
The President’s office has called for the complete official record from the concerned forum for thorough examination. The matter will be placed before the competent authority for a decision strictly in accordance with the law.The clarification emphasized that no final relief or clearance has been granted by the President.
Any assertions to the contrary circulating on social media are incorrect and misleading.
The statement further reiterated that the President of Pakistan is constitutionally bound to act in strict compliance with the laws of the land. The public and media have been urged to refrain from speculation and rely only on verified official information.
This development follows the Federal Ombudsperson’s recent landmark order (issued around February 13–14, 2026) removing Prof. Dr. Shehzad Ali Khan from his position as HSA Vice Chancellor after finding him guilty of quid pro quo harassment, abuse of authority, and related misconduct under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010. The order stemmed from cross-complaints involving a junior female colleague, where the Ombudsperson rejected claims of “honey-trapping” and upheld the harassment allegations against the VC.
The case underscores ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in public institutions, particularly in matters of workplace harassment and gender-based misconduct. The President’s Secretariat has stressed that the review process will proceed transparently and lawfully.
