On 6th June 1973, a complaint signed by 5 ladies, whose names are mentioned above addressed to this Commission at Qasre Naz, Karachi was received by post. It was alleged in the complaint that Asrar (accused No. 1). General Secretary of R & C Pak. Workers' Union, and Umar (accused No. 2), who is an employee of Reckit & Colman of Pakistan Limited, have made their life miserable by uttering obscene and vulgar slogans against them. They further stated therein that on 30th May 1973 when they were taking tea in the ladies canteen, Asrar called out Rifaat Bano, who did not respond. At this, Asrar came inside the canteen and started vilifying in a most lewd language to all the 5 lady workers, namely Idrees Fatima, Rifaat Bano, Feroza Bibi, Shaukat Bano and Shafqat Bano.
He also called his supporter Umar (accused No. 2) and others and asked them to take them (ladies) into their lap and make them naked. On receipt of this complaint, I called the 5 ladies and recorded their statement on 11 June 1973. All of them unanimously deposed that both the accused referred to above were responsible in making their life miserable, that they had earlier prepared certain photos of naked ladies and thereunder they had written their names. Briefly stated, they deposed that the accused had made it known that they would cut their (ladies) stomachs into pieces, make them naked, and dishonour them.
2. After recording the statements of complainants, I called the accused namely Asrar and Umar.
They have appeared today. They straightaway tendered un-qualified apology with folding hands and touched their ears and asked the 5 ladies for forgiveness. Apart from this, they have expressed regrets and have undertaken not to tease the ladies in future. Mr. Waqar Ahmad, who is brother of Rifaat Bano and Shafqat Bano has also interceded on their behalf.th
3. I would have inflicted on them maximum punishment enjoined by law i.e., 3 years' R. I. And fine of Rs. 2,000 each, but considering that they have tendered apology and ladies are not keen to prosecute the case. I refrain from taking any further action. In view of the industrial peace coupled with the fact that the complainants have asked for withdrawal of the complaint, no action is called for to the matter.
4. Before I depart with this case, I want to make it clear to Asrar and Umar (accused) that in future, if similar complaint is received against them by the Commission a deterrent punishment would be awarded. Needless to add that these two accused intimidated the poor ladies and forced them to become members of their Union, to which they did not agree. Since they have expressed regrets and shown repentance, I allow the 5 ladies namely, Idrees Fatima, Rifaat Bano, Feroza Bibi, Shaukat Bano and Shafqat Bano to withdraw the complaint.
5. Needless to add that Asrar is a graduate and despite the fact that he is highly educated, he has stooped so low as to flung filthy abuses on the lady workers. It is expected that there will be no recurrence of the incident. This complaint is dismissed as having been with--drawn.