Islamabad: (RightNow) The Federal Constitutional Court has declared that a sexual element is essential for action under the harassment law. The court stated that not every inappropriate behavior falls under sexual harassment.

The decision explained that complaints without a sexual element do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Ombudsman. Organizations can take action on inappropriate behavior under their service rules. The purpose of the harassment law is to provide protection against sexual harassment at the workplace.

According to the court, the harassment act does not apply to general complaints. The President is authorized to hear appeals against the Federal Ombudsman’s decisions, while the High Court can intervene on limited constitutional grounds.

It is noteworthy that the Federal Ombudsman had sentenced two bank officers to dismissal, which the President converted to a reprimand. The Islamabad High Court had annulled the President’s order.

It should be remembered that the Federal Constitutional Court has annulled the Islamabad High Court’s decision. The court reinstated the President’s order. The appeals were heard by a three-member bench led by Chief Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court, Justice Aminuddin Khan.