KARACHI: Sindh Ombudsman for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace has ordered the immediate removal of Syed Moonis Alvi, CEO of K-Electric, over allegations of workplace harassment. 

The decision, issued by retired Justice Shah Nawaz Tariq, includes a fine of Rs2.5 million, marking a dramatic development for one of Pakistan’s largest utility providers. According to the ruling, Alvi was found guilty of harassing and mentally torturing a female employee. “Moonis Abdullah Alvi is penalised under section 4(4)(ii)(c) of the Act, 2010, and is removed from his service instantly,” read the order. The ombudsman's office said Alvi must pay the fine within 30 days or face asset confiscation and the suspension of his national ID card and passport. 

Alvi, who has served as CEO since 2018, issued a public statement rejecting the findings and confirmed plans to file an appeal. “This has been a painful journey — not just professionally, but personally,” he wrote on social media. He said the ombudsman's findings “do not reflect the reality” and expressed confidence that legal proceedings would reveal the truth. 

The verdict comes after growing public and institutional scrutiny of Alvi’s leadership. In May, a National Assembly standing committee had questioned his continued appointment in light of internal concerns at K-Electric, Pakistan’s only vertically integrated power utility serving Karachi. Under Alvi’s leadership, KE pursued significant infrastructure upgrades and attracted foreign investment. He joined the company with over 30 years of experience in finance and played a key role in modernizing Karachi’s aging power grid. 

The ombudsman’s decision, however, casts a shadow over those accomplishments. It is rare for a senior executive of a major Pakistani corporation to face such consequences in a harassment case, signaling a shift in the enforcement of workplace protections under the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010. Legal experts say Alvi’s appeal will likely be filed in the Sindh High Court, which has the authority to review decisions made by the ombudsman.  

KE CEO denies charges, will appeal ruling. K-Electric (KE) CEO Moonis Alvi vehemently denies charges of harassment in the 22-page order by the Sindh ombudsman on Thursday, categorically stating that he is set to appeal the decision that his lawyer termed an “unreasoned order”.

In a series of tweets on X, Alvi – the longest-serving CEO of KE – said that he was going to fight back. “The verdict is deeply distressing to me,” he said on X. “While I respect the legal process.

“I am currently reviewing the decision with my legal counsel and will be exercising my right to appeal… I remain committed to ensuring that the truth is fully brought to light, through all lawful means available.”

On behalf of Alvi, Senior Counsels  Barrister Abid S. Zuberi and Barrister Ayan Memon announced the intention to appeal.

“We respect the honourable court and all its decisions. However, in light of serious procedural and legal inconsistencies, we are moving to appeal this decision before the appropriate forum and are confident that justice will prevail.  “The distorted framing of performance feedback as harassment, imposition of the severest penalty without reasoned rationale and anchoring of baseless allegations are massively concerning. 

"Alvi gave full disclosure of work performance-related issues of the complainant and retaliatory complaints after her termination. These facts have been totally ignored.

“A substantial portion of the order has been dedicated to frivolous allegations, not backed by hard evidence.” The timeline for the appeal remains unclear, but the court could stay the execution of the order pending review. The case has also renewed calls for corporate boards and regulators to take stronger action in addressing workplace harassment, particularly at the highest levels of leadership. If upheld, the decision may set a precedent for accountability and due process in corporate Pakistan. For now, Alvi’s removal marks one of the most high-profile harassment rulings in the country’s recent history.