LAHORE: The caretaker Punjab government on Thursday constituted one-man tribunal to inquire into the drug abuse and sexual abuse of girl students at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB).

The Punjab Home Department issued a notification, a copy available with Dawn, stating that Governor Balighur Rehman appointed Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar of the Lahore High Court (LHC) as tribunal to inquire into the IUB scandal.

The tribunal has been directed to ensure a thorough probe into serious allegations, ascertaining facts and causes and strict action against the people involved in the matter.

The judge was also directed to fix the responsibility and make recommendations to avert such incidents in the future.

Earlier, the Bahawalpur police had arrested IUB Treasurer Prof Dr Abubakar, Chief Security Officer (CSO) Ijaz Husain Shah and Transport Officer Altaf for possessing drugs and objectionable videos and images of girl students and staff members.

The investigation also revealed their involvement in the blackmail and sexual exploitation of some students and faculty members on the campus.

According to police investigation, the arrested officials were a part of a group of teachers engaged in selling drugs among students while they were accused of organising parties by blackmailing girls. These activities were allegedly carried out with the help of the IUB security head.

Earlier, a three members committee had also found the chief security officer, treasurer and others guilty in the drugs and videos scandal. The committee members included Punjab Minerals Secretary Babar Aman, DIG Special Branch Faisal Ali Raja and Internal Accountability Branch (IAB) DIG Amin Bukhari. Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced to form a judicial commission to investigate the scandal.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2023