June 17, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 12, 1429

MULTAN, June 16: The Bahauddin Zakariya University has constituted a two-member committee to probe sexual harassment allegations leveled by two female students.

The complainants on the other hand boycotted the inquiry committee and demanded a probe under the Punjab Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability Rules by an independent body.

According to a press release issued by the university spokesman here on Monday, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Muhammad Zaffarullah has constituted a two-member inquiry committee which includes Student Affairs (Girls) director and History Department chairperson Dr Humaira Arif Dasti and girls hostel warden Dr Zahida Tassawur.

Talking to Dawn, the students said that they were receiving threats from different quarters and were feeling insecure. They said that the members of inquiry committee had tried to get their statement in the favor of accused teachers forcibly.

“They were demanding the recorded conversation and forced us to write a statement according to their dictates but we neither produced the recorded material nor gave statement according to their will,” they said.

They said that they would produce their evidence only in front of an independent inquiry committee that could be appointed by the Higher Education Commission or the government.

Dr Humaira Dasti was not available for comments while Dr Zahida Tassawur said that the both girls had not cooperated with the inquiry committee on the first day (of inquiry). She said the allegations leveled by the girls (on the inquiry committee) were baseless. — Staff Correspondent