ISLAMABAD: The NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS COMMISSION (NIRC) has issued arrest warrants against Brigadier (retd) Muhammad Zarrin, head of Neelum Jhelum Hydropower Company (NJHPC) when he didn’t appear before the commission in a contempt of court case.
The head of NJHPC had not reinstated a female employee despite court directions. Following the death of a former employee of the Water and Power Development Authority, his daughter was appointed as the Private Secretary to the Director General (Coordination) WAPDA in 2010.
She was later posted as Protocol Officer on Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project. According to the female officer, she was harassed several times by Brigadier (retd) Zareen, head of Neelam Jhelum Hydropower Company, on which she raised her voice and informed the relevant departments in writing.
The head of the company fired the female officer in July 2019 and withheld all her arrears and other benefits. The woman officer immediately approached the National Industrial Relations Commission and the Women Ombudsman’s court.
A case of harassment and mental torture against the head of the company is still pending in the court of women Ombudsman. NIRC while dealing with the case of the lady, issued orders to Neelam Jhelum Hydropower Company and WAPDA to reinstate her and clear all her arrears.
According to official documents, the head of the company declined to comply with the Commission’s orders and did not reinstate the female officer.
The appointment of the head of Neelum-Jhelum Hydro-Par Company has also been declared illegal by the Cabinet Division. The government issuing orders to ensure the appointment of a new head, expressed anger over the illegal appointment of the head of the company.
According to company sources, the Ministry of Water Resources is postponing the appointment of a new head of the company, while WAPDA has not yet commented on the matter.
Mohammad Zarrin, the accused in the case, was approached repeatedly on his personal mobile number and office telephone number however, he was not reachable to give his version.
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