Islamabad:Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar highlighted the growing dangers of digital harassment and emerging online threats at the International Ombudsman Institute Conference 2026 in Rome, calling for stronger safeguards, institutional accountability and citizen protection in the digital age.
Representing Pakistan at the two-day conference being held at the Italian Parliament, Ms Viqar joined ombuds institutions and global stakeholders from 67 countries, including over 150 ombudspersons and senior representatives from Europe and beyond.
Addressing the opening session titled “New Global Challenges: Complex Administrations, Digitalisation and Citizens’ Rights,” she warned about rising digital risks such as deepfakes, manipulated images, voice cloning and synthetic explicit content increasingly used to harass, intimidate and silence women.
The ombudsperson stressed the importance of secure evidence submission, early preservation of digital material, strict confidentiality and coordinated engagement with relevant authorities to protect citizens’ rights and strengthen institutional accountability.
She noted that Pakistan amended its anti-harassment law in 2022 to expand legal protection to freelancers, gig workers, domestic workers, home-based workers, interns, students, apprentices and remote workers. The amended law also recognises online and virtual workplaces.
Highlighting Pakistan’s experience through the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment, Ms Viqar said digital transformation presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly as workplace structures and communication methods continue to evolve.
She said rights in the digital era require stronger safeguards, improved institutional tools and sustained attention to accessibility and accountability. Institutional legitimacy, she added, depends on whether citizens feel heard, protected and visible.
