Fact-check: No blanket fine for 'good morning' texts to women, ombudsperson clarifies

An alleged post circulating on social media suggests that the federal ombudsperson has stated that a man in Pakistan can be heavily fined for sending even a "good morning" message to a woman.

The claim is misleading. Penalties apply only in cases of harassment.

Claim

A graphic being shared across Facebook and Instagram claims that the federal ombudsperson has announced that sending even a message saying "good morning" to a woman would result in a penalty.

The claims can be viewed here, here and here.

Fact

The claims are misleading.

Waqar Ahmed, the assistant director legal at the federal ombudsperson secretariat for protection against harassment in Islamabad, told Geo Fact Check that there is no such law or order issued by the ombudsperson.

He added that if constant messages are sent to a woman, the act may fall under the category of harassment.

This was supported by Mohsin Sheikh, a law officer at the federal ombudsperson secretariat for protection against harassment, who said any allegation of harassment is assessed strictly on a case by case basis, following due process.

"A message such as ‘good morning’, in isolation, is ordinarily considered neutral and non harassing," Sheikh added. "However, if such messages are repeated, sent selectively in inappropriate contexts, accompanied by other unwelcome advances, or form part of a pattern creating a hostile environment, they may be examined under the legal framework."

While Yumna Jamil, the communication officer at the ombudsperson secretariat for protection against harassment in Islamabad, also told Geo Fact Check via messages that simply sending a message like "good morning" is not a crime.

"Merely sending a simple ‘good morning’ message to a woman or a girl is not punishable under law," she said. "Penalties arise only if such messages are sent repeatedly or against the recipient’s will and a formal complaint is filed by her."

Verdict: The official statement clarifies that simple messages are not punishable or subject to fines. Penalties apply only in cases of persistent or unwanted communication that may amount to harassment.

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