SWAT: A woman lecturer of the Swat University has accused the registrar, deputy registrar and provost of sexually harassing her.

Assistant Professor Dr Zakia told reporters that the university’s registrar and deputy registrar had harassed her asking her to accept their ‘illegal demands’, and on refusal, she was removed as the head of the women’s campus and was transferred to the men’s campus.

“I have done PhD but the VC and registrar demoted me and promoted a lecturer with MA degree to head the women’s campus, which is an injustice. When I raised voice, the registrar and deputy registrar began threatening me with dire consequences. Now, the registrar is repeatedly calling me to issue threats,” she said.

The lecturer said she had reported harassment and threats to the Kanju police station.

“I need protection from the registrar, deputy registrar and others, who are threatening me,” she said.

SHO of the Kanju police station Mujeeb Alam confirmed that he had received a harassment and threat complaint from Dr Zakia against the university’s registrar, deputy registrar and provost.

“We have begun a proper inquiry into the matter and once it is complete, we will register an FIR under the relevant sections of the law and will take action,” he told Dawn.

When contacted, public relations officer of the university Rafiullah Khan denied the assistant professor’s allegations and called the matter a minor one.

“Dr Zakia was neither harassed nor threatened and she was only transferred to the main campus,” he said.

The PRO said instead of going to the police station and media, Dr Zakia should have approached the university’s grievances committee for the resolution of the issue.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2020