My name is Asmat Zohra. My illiterate father works as Mali in a government organization. I graduated through the efforts of my father who has been supporting me. I have six other brothers and sisters, all younger to me. I am the eldest and the only one who lends financial support to the family.
Before coming to the point, I have to give a brief background of my case:
I was appointed COMPUTER OPERATOR on 10th May 2010 ( on Monday nearly two years back) by the Executive Director, Lok Virsa namely Mr Khalid Javaid. A formal appointment letter was issued to me by Lok Virsa administration designating me as Computer Operator, Heritage library of Lok virsa.
However within days Khalid Javaid summoned me to his office and asked me to show him the original appointment letter which I did in utmost trust of my senior officer. To my surprise Khalid Javaid shredded the letter to pieces and assigned it to his dust bin. On my asking he assured me that the letter was not required and instead a whole and complete file of my appointment and responsibilities and duties will be given to me. Till date however no file has been given to me though I work diligently on the computer daily as computer operator of the library.
Though I worked as Computer Assistant and assigned work in that capacity yet to my surprise I was paid a very paltry amount on contract in grade 4 which is the grade of a sweeper in Lok Virsa.
Each time I complained and pointed out that other girls appointed by Khalid Javaid who have far less qualifications middle pass, matriculates) have been promoted to grade 12 and above. I was told your case is being processed. It will take a little time.
Then Khalid Javaid began counseling me on and off during office. Why do you wear a Dupatta , he would say, why do you hide yourself behind veils and chaddar. ? Do you think we will eat you? Mix up with other women , relax and remove your duppate and abbaya while at work. He insisted advised that come to the forefront if you want to progress in this institution and be seen in social gatherings and programmes of Lok virsa.
A very close associate of Khalid Javaid and Museum official namely Muhammad Naseer began to call me to his office and incited me.
“You must go to Khalid Javaid’s Office, wish him everyday, have a little talk shack with him like the other girls who have been promoted. Khalid Javaid is my officer said he , but he is more like my friend. We have worked very long together. He is a different kind of a man. If you like I will introduce you to him. If he asks you for any special favours you should agree willingly. He will give you a permanent job here and you will be able to go forward in your career like the other girls who you see have been promoted to higher grades. “Why don’t you understand he insisted this is the way to promotion here. I am your benefactor, I only want your good.”
When I inquired what are those special tasks that are required of me, Naseerr would say: “You are well educated, you are adult, you are beautiful, fair you should be able to understand what is required. I am leading you to the road to prosperity and promotion. All it requires is a little sacrifice from you and you will be comfortable and well off for the rest of your life. I know that a job is your “ majboori (helplessness) ”, you have to support your brothers and sisters , their education so don’t be foolish and listen to me. You have neither any Sifarish (recommendation) nor “rishwat (bribery)” so there is little choice for you. If you agree to do what the other girls do for Khalid Javaid and his special guests you will not only become permanent here but also your financial problems will be over once and for all.”
I refused point blank and said that would women in his family do the same to work in an office.
At this remark Mohammad Naseer began scolding me, ” You are very proud, what do think of yourself? Tree branches that are not flexible ultimately have to get broken. You must be flexible or else you will lose your job. You will be thrown out if you do not agree and no one will care about your removal from the job.”
Thereafter my repeated pleas that I am paid salary in grade 4 as security guard but working as Computer Operator at grade 11. This was a very serious anomaly. But the administration gave no heed to the matter saying the initiative rests with Khalid Javaid and I should go to him and do as he says.
Khalid Javaid also began writing to the government in official correspondence that I was a security guard on contract in grade four. When I complained I was told by Mohammad Naseer that I should come to the museum Store ( a sequestered store at the back) after the office closes. He said if you agree I assure you a permanent appointment and upgradation to grade 11. He insisted and said why are you afraid there will be initially only myself to tell you how to get promotion in this institution.
“Look ,” he persuaded me, “It is an opportune day and time, come, don’t be afraid and if you don’t come today after 4 pm you will be terminated and you yourself will be responsible for losing this job and such a wonderful opportunity. I know my boss Khalid Javaid will not keep you anymore. Now it’s up to and you will be responsible for what happens to you. I have shown you the clear way to promotion and permanent appointment here.”
I belong to a very poor family but we are respectable people who earn a living through hard work and sweat. I was not willing to succumb to their daily black mail, and evil persuasions and temptations. Naseer began to threaten me and harass me to such an extent that it became impossible for me to continue office. I contacted Madame Hina Mufti who is a senior most lady officer at Lok Virsa , appointed ten years ago in Lok virsa by the Selection Board, unlike the others. Madame had by then already filed a case for harassment at work against Khalid Javaid , I volunteered on my own choice to testify and be a witness in Madam Hina’s case against Khalid Javaid and recounted everything to the court of Wafaqi Mohtassib for Women.
Since my existence in Lok Virsa became even more difficult. Many fake official procedures were initiated against me to harass me and to desist me from continuing to witness in this case. I was marked absent without reason, I was publically scolded and told I am inefficient. My immediate officer in charge Zobia Sultana a close confidant of Khalid Javaid threatened me of dire consequences if I continue to witness in the court.
My official work record and files were tampered and I was shown as security guard even though I worked as Computer Operator and all typing work in urdu, Punjabi and English was assigned to me.
After November 2011 all work to me as computer assistant was stopped . No work was assigned to me. A peon namely Mohammad Bashir was assigned to watch over me all the time and harass me sexually. A Sindhi shop keeper in Lok Virsa was given my cell number and told to somehow invite me out and take me away to some location to make me sign papers forcibly. This Sindhi shopkeeper first wooed me saying he wishes to marry me and meet my parents but later came out in true colours and threatened me of dire consequences including forcible abduction.
When I told the Sindhi shop keeper that I have a complete record of his nasty SMS in my phone I was stopped by a hoodlum near the office while I walked through to office from the green area as I did every morning. This hoodlum attacked me and made away with my purse and mobile phone at gun point. I filed a complaint to SHO Aab Para, Islamabad and also in writing to the ministry to the then Secretary Faridullah, the JS Sultana Gheur and the Deputy Secretary. However no action was taken.
The Wafaqi Mohtasib after hearing my witness issued a protection letter which clearly forbids the employer, Mr Khalid Javaid to desist from any adverse action against the witness. Despite the court orders, in clear violation, on 30th March 2012 my services in Lok Virsa were terminated without any notification or admonition. I was verbally informed that my services have been terminated.
The government of Pakistan has issued clear directives that all contractual workers may be regularized and inducted into regular service. I fulfill all conditionalities yet in clear contravention my services were terminated against all rules, regulations and government procedure and court orders.
Ms Asmat Zohra (Pen Name; name changed on the request of the writer) is working in Lok Virsa Islamabad as a computer operator
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