KE CEO Ordered to Step Down After Harassment Ruling

CEO K-Electric Monis Alvi has been ordered to step down and pay a Rs. 2.5 million fine after the Provincial Ombudsman found him guilty of harassing former Chief Marketing Officer Mahreen Zahra. The complaint was filed under the Protection Against Harassment law.

Justice (R) Shah Nawaz Tariq, the Ombudsman, directed that if Alvi fails to pay the penalty within a month, his properties be confiscated and his ID and passport be blocked. The case has brought renewed focus to workplace conduct and accountability within corporate Pakistan.

Mahreen Zahra, who worked with K-Electric as a consultant in 2019, had filed the complaint, citing ongoing psychological distress due to the harassment. The Ombudsman ruled that the allegations were backed by evidence and warranted disciplinary and financial consequences.

In response, Alvi released a statement saying he had always maintained professional integrity and supported inclusive workspaces. While calling the ruling painful, he stressed that the decision did not align with his personal truth. He indicated his intent to file an appeal with legal advisors.

Alvi also reaffirmed his belief in the justice process and said every voice deserves to be heard, particularly when concerns are raised in a professional setting.

Just weeks before the decision, K-Electric had announced Alvi’s reappointment as CEO. The company’s press release dated July 7 stated that the Board had confirmed his position for a new term starting July 30, 2025.

Having joined the company in 2008, Alvi has held various leadership roles including CFO and Head of Treasury. The latest developments raise questions about corporate governance and the procedures companies follow in response to serious allegations.