–Probing body, forensics clear Rescue 1122 PRO of sexual harassment charges
–Police official says complainant failed to provide any evidence she earlier claimed possession of
–Saima Javed rejects investigation report, says will pursue case ’till death’
LAHORE: Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) public relations officer (PRO), who was accused of sexually assaulting a female coworker, has been acquitted of the charges, a report of the investigation body has revealed.
The report, issued by Gender Cell of Cantonment Division Investigation Police, states that neither did PRO Jam Sajjad meet the complainant, Emergency Medical Technician Saima Javed, nor did he invite her at his official residence located within the Ghazi Road Rescue Station.
“A lobby comprising officers of Punjab Emergency Services, who were backing the complainant, is involved in leveling such heinous allegations against the PRO,” states the report further.
A Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) official has also submitted a report, in which he has stated, “It is my professional opinion, based on significant responses to the relevant test questions, that the complainant cannot be confirmed as truthful when she stated that Jam Sajjad had sexual intercourse with her.”
Speaking to Pakistan Today, a senior police officer, on the condition of anonymity, said that the complainant appears to be “mentally weak”.
“She has changed her stance over a dozen times and failed to bring any witnesses, mobile texts, data or even any supporting documents to prove her allegations,” he said, adding that Saima had earlier claimed of possessing text conversations; however, she failed to produce any when the investigation officer sought them. “This strengthened the PRO’s stance that ‘a lobby was after his job’.”
According to the applications that the complainant submitted with Punjab Emergency Services director general (DG) and additional chief secretary (ACS) in August 2017, she had consented relations with the PRO in the past.
During the course of inquiry in the office of the ACS, it was revealed that neither Saima worked under the command of the PRO nor she remained her colleague under the law. She had also not submitted a single shred of evidence to prove her claims, but the ACS suspended the PRO on October 9, 2017, just two days prior to the renewal of his contract.
Later, Saima, reportedly, occupied a room in the Emergency Services Academy and started hurling life threats to female cadets, instructors and officers, threatening them of lodging same sort of complaints against them. In view of her behaviour, female warden Roqiaya Bano Javed issued Saima a warning on August 18, 2018, and asked her to vacate the accommodation. Consequently, two inquiry committees were constituted against Saima, but she refused to appear for clarification.
Meanwhile, Training Adjutant Dr Ali Imam Syed also reported misbehaviour, poor performance and discipline on Saima Javed’s part. This led to her transfer from the academy to Lahore. She reportedly called the police and leveled gang-rape charges against six officers, specifically when training adjutant asked her to adjust herself with other female cadets. Chung Circle Police arrived and declared it a fake call; however, Saima continued calling the police time and again.
After this, she submitted another complaint at PS DHA-A and leveled rape allegations against the PRO once again. She also lodged another complaint against six officers of Rescue 1122, including Dr Foaad Mirza, HR DD Ali Hassan, Law Officer Dr Ali Imam Syed, Academy Adjutant Nadeem Khattak, HR Assistant Bilal and Naib Qasid in the office of the Ombudsperson and maintained that all of them were sexually harassing her. In view of the complaints, Rescue DG sent PRO Jam Sajjad on a forced leave.
Jam Sajjad, while speaking to this scribe, said the matter was in the court. “I am hopeful that Allah will help me and my fellow officers against whom frivolous complaints have been lodged at different forums.”
When asked about resuming the charge as Public Relations Wing head and Punjab Emergency Services spokesperson, Jam said he had informed the DG about the development and would resume the charge after an approval from the high-up.
Saima Javed, on the other hand, rejected the investigation report and alleged that she was being conspired against. “I will fight for justice and pursue the case till my death,” she said.
Repeated attempts were made to contact Rescue 1122 DG Dr Rizwan Naseer, but he was unavailable.
