DADU: A deputy director of finance in Shaheed Allah Bux Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage, Jamshoro, was dismissed from service on Friday after two separately conducted inquiries proved him guilty of harassing a lady teacher and a female warden of girls’ hostel.

The university’s Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Arabila Bhutto removed the official Asif Ali Shar after he was found guilty under Section (b) (4) (ii) of the Protection against Harassment of Women Act, 2010, on the recommendation of the university’s women’s harassment committee.

The committee and the Girls’ Rescue Centre, Jamshoro, conducted separate probes against Mr Shar after receiving complaints from adjunct faculty and warden of the girls’ hostel that the official was harassing them.

The centre submitted its report to the university and other relevant departments on April 15, while the committee sent its report to the VC on April 17 on the basis of which she issued orders to dismiss Mr Shar from service. The matter would now be taken up by syndicate in its next meeting.

The university has informed secretary of Universities and Boards, Directorate of Human Rights, chairmen of Higher Education Commission Islamabad and HEC Sindh and DSP of Girls Rescue Centre about the decision.

A spokesman for the university said in a press release that the university’s registrar had issued a notification for the dismissal after the VC ordered removal of the deputy director of finance.

Sources said that the official used to harass the warden continuously through messages and calls and in one instance he took her to a hotel to force her to be his friend.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2024