LAHORE: The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) on Monday removed principal of MAO College from the post following an inquiry that found him guilty of showing negligence in a matter of sexual harassment allegations against a lecturer who committed suicide.

HED Secretary Sajid Zafar Dall had constituted a four-member committee led by University of Okara Vice Chancellor Prof Zakria Zakar to probe the sexual harassment allegation and suicide of lecturer Muhammad Afzal.

The committee had found Principal Dr Farhan Ebadat Yar Khan guilty of showing negligence in delaying the report of an inquiry over sexual harassment allegation against the lecturer who was proved innocent. The committee had inquired the matter and recommended removal of the principal from the post.

Mr Afzal had committed suicide for not getting the certificate after the inquiry had found him innocent.

The deceased kept demanding the clearance certificate from the principal and the chairman of the anti-harassment committee but he was not entertained.

The department on the recommendation of the committee removed the principal from the post on administrative grounds immediately.

Vice Principal Prof Riaz Ahmed Hashmee was given the look-after charge till further orders.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2019