ISLAMABAD: A large number of students from Bahria University on Friday held a protest against the university administration for starting classes in an under-construction building which they claimed led to the death of a fellow student.

Haleema Amin, 23, a student of second semester, fell from the fourth floor of the building and later died in hospital on Thursday.

After the incident, students and others took to social media asking why classes were started in the under-construction building.

On Friday, a large number of students held a rally on the campus and later staged a protest demonstration on Margalla Road, demanding action against the officials.

The protesters demanded resignation of the university’s rector and action against those responsible for starting classes in the under-construction building.

Demand action against those who allowed classes in under-construction building

They said Haleema was a student of accounting and finance and went to a balcony along with her friends and fell down after mistakenly stepping on some papers which had been laid to cover a hole.

“My daughter has died, others should not become victim of such an accident,” Haleema’s father was heard saying in a video uploaded on the social media.

In another video, Rector retired Vice Admiral Mohammad Shafiq, while addressing the protesting students, offered his resignation, saying being head of the university he was ready to take the responsibility.

“I am resigning in front of you, I am taking the responsibility; she was like my daughter,” the rector said.

However, till the filing of this report on Friday night there was no official announcement about his resignation.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari tweeted: “Distressing to learn of death of Bahria Uni student Haleema, who fell down four storeys through a gaping hole in building not fully constructed but in use by students. A student sent this video – Many disturbing questions arise.”

She stated: “Apart from shocking callousness on how we treat our students, why did the Uni not clearly have warning signs in this building? Why students were allowed access to a building not fully constructed? Even more disturbing is the way the Uni authorities behaved after accident happened.”

She said at the very least this is a case of criminal negligence and university must be held responsible.

“It should come under federal jurisdiction so HEC and Shafqat Mahmood [education minister] must institute an in-depth inquiry with a timeframe to see where responsibility must be laid,” she said.

Right activist Jibran Nasir and many other social media activists demanded resignation of those responsible.

Meanwhile, the university in a statement said: “The management, faculty, staff and students of Bahria University and their families are deeply saddened by the tragic accident and loss of our dearest student Ms. Haleema Amin on 26th September at Islamabad Campus. Our sincere prayers are with her parents, family and fellow students at this heart-wrenching time. Our hearts are heavy with grief and we pray that May Allah rest the late Ms. Haleema’s soul in highest place in Jannah, and give patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss (Ameen).”

It said the student was shifted immediately to the hospital right after the accident in the university’s ambulance along with qualified medical staff.

The statement said the university management and faculty along with a team of on-campus doctors remained with her and the family throughout the emergency treatment.

The university made all-out efforts to save the precious life.

“Bahria University officially states that Ms Haleema was a brilliant student and all such rumours about her committing suicide and all other negative thoughts being shared in the media are baseless. The management would like to assure that a high level inquiry has already been initiated to look into the matter from all aspects. The finding of this inquiry shall be shared soon with all concerned. We remain committed for the well-being and maintaining highest standard of education for our students,” the university said.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2019