QAU ignores harassment law, orders probe under old rules

A Reporter Published July 2, 2014

ISLAMABAD: A Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) student, who levelled allegations of sexual harassment against a senior teacher in her department, has asked that the accused man be removed from his post until the inquiry into his conduct reaches a decision.

Also read: Sexual harassment allegations rock Quaid-i-Azam University again

The university’s administration has also decided to initiate the inquiry against the accused teacher under the Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules 1973, rather than the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010, the QAU vice chancellor told Dawn on Tuesday.

A three-member committee has been formed to probe the case. Chaired by Professor Gul Majeed of the Pharmacy Department, it includes Prof Kashif Sabeh from the Physics faculty and Prof Rahat Naseem of the Environmental Sciences faculty. Prof Naseem is the only woman on the committee.

In the application submitted to the Vice Chancellor’s office on Tuesday, a copy of which is available with Dawn, the alleged victim maintains that the accused should not be allowed to continue working as the head of the QAU School of Management Sciences because he could then pressure witnesses who are currently working on probation and can be dismissed on his instructions.

“No staff members or students can dare to speak against the in-charge as long as he is head of the School of Management Sciences,” the application states.

Copies of the application have been sent to President Mamnoon Hussain, in his capacity as chancellor of QAU; the state minister for Education and Professional Training; the federal ombudsman and other key officials.

Prof Gul Majeed, who is heading the committee to probe the harassment charges, told Dawn he found out he had been named committee head when he saw the notification on Tuesday.

“I will meet with the other members and then we’ll decide how to deal with the issue,” he said. Prof Majeed admitted that it was possible for the accused teacher to exert pressure on witnesses from the School of Management Sciences.

“I will discuss that matter with the committee members we will take appropriate action,” he said.

Talking to Dawn, QAU VC Dr Etazaz Ahmad said, “If any member of the investigating committee feels that the suspect can use his influence to affect the investigation and should not continue working as department in-charge, the committee can remove him”.

Dr Etazaz also said that the investigation will proceed under the E&D Rules 1973 instead of the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2014

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Tamza

Jul 02, 2014 09:19am

True or not, this is a sad problem, but a very widespread one. An unfortunate aspect is that at times the female 'leads the man on', and then 'suddenly' makes accusations. To avoid such outcomes, people in authority HAVE to be extremely careful, almost unreasonably so, when dealing with peers and subordinates of the other gender. An easy practice: have face-face meeting in the presence of others, and for private meeting have a glass window through which others can look in, even if they cant hear what is being said. The investigation should 'proceed under BOTH', E&D Rules 1973 AND the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010. IF it is found that there is no basis for the accusation, then accuser should be as severely 'punished' as the accused would have been if found 'guilty'.

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tania

Jul 02, 2014 10:11am

why?

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naveed

Jul 02, 2014 01:24pm

@tania why not. why should the woman who did such a horrendous act be allowed to roam around freely if found guilty. she should get equallz sever punishment as the man in case he is proved innocent

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Ahmad

Jul 02, 2014 01:37pm

Good to see someone is taking a stand against such a shameful act. I would on this platform also like to draw attention of similar incidents taking place at University of Peshawar, Department of Bio-Technology. The Ex-Chairman of the department, Prof. Dr. Bashir Ahmad has through his tenure as the chairman and professor sexually harassed the female faculty and students. Unfortunately due to the suppressed and male-dominant Pushtun society; people who tried to lodge an official complaint where apprehended with personal attacks by the chairman and his disciples. I however hope that such incidents should be dealt with serious concern and exemplary punishment should be given so that no such incidents take place in future.

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naveed

Jul 02, 2014 05:42pm

@Ahmad if he has been doing it then it should be proven through a proper channel. remember one is innocent until or otherwise proved guilty. if someone cant be proved in the court of law as guilty you have no right to defame him in public like this. such acts of baseless accusations that cant be supported with evidence are extremely shameful and legislation should be done in a way that such allegations are not made on a whim

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Nasreen

Jul 03, 2014 05:01am

@naveed do you have any base for saying "such acts of baseless accusations". Let the judgement come dear which is currently bypassing 2010 Act and then you may say that the girl was not right. Perhaps even not then because the judge will be blind to Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.

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