LOWER DIR: The alleged harassment of a female student by a teacher at University of Malakand (UoM) is making rounds on the social media and has sparked outrage among people.

The harassment case surfaced when a female student of Urdu department approached Jehan Bakht Shaheed police station, Pul Chowki, Malakand district and registered an FIR against a teacher. She nominated Abdul Haseeb, a lecturer in political science department of the university in the FIR.

According to the FIR, registered under sections 365B, 511, 452, 354 and 506 of Pakistan Penal Code, the complainant was present at her home when the accused forcefully entered her house with the intent to sexually assault her. She alleged that the accused also attempted to abduct her against her will and used force and threats to intimidate her.

The complainant alleged that she resisted upon which the accused misbehaved, harassed and physically assaulted her. She stated that upon hearing the noise, some neighbours gathered at the scene of occurrence that forced the accused to flee. She said that the accused issued serious threats about her life and well-being.

DC says accused lecturer has been arrested; CM forms inquiry committee

The complainant immediately reported the matter to police, seeking legal action against the accused.

The deputy commissioner of Malakand, Hamidur Rehman, who is also the commandant of Malakand Levies, told Dawn that the accused was arrested and the matter was being probed through a joint investigation team.

Some students of the university, requesting not to be named, told this scribe that the case should be seriously taken up as there had been reports that some teachers were harassing female students in various ways. They said that complaints were being lodged about the accused lecturer for several months, but the university authorities hushed up such matters.

According to sources, numerous complaints were lodged against the accused for inappropriate behaviour, but the university administration did not take any concrete step due to concerns about damage to its reputation. They said that several female students previously complained about harassment, but the university administration failed to act.

According to media cell of the university, the administration in this regard has taken immediate and strict steps. It stated that the accused tried to marry a student by going to her house for which he was immediately suspended.

It said that a meeting of anti-harassment committee of the university was held wherein the complainant was given the opportunity of a personal hearing. “Now the committee is finalising its recommendations, which will be sent to syndicate for disciplinary action against the accused,” it added.

UoM public relation officer Miraj Hameed Nasari said that the university was committed to ensuring an impartial investigation into the matter and the case would be taken to its logical conclusion in the light of available evidence.

Talking to Dawn, he said that the university had always given top priority to providing a safe and equitable educational environment and designated officers had been appointed for the purpose who provided timely assistance to students.

He said that the university administration had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment. He claimed that administration was taking all possible steps to ensure a safe, fair and transparent educational environment on the campus.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has taken notice of the incident and has formed a two-member inquiry committee comprising the additional secretary of administration department, Asif Rahim, and the assistant inspector general of police, Sonia Shamroz, to probe the matter.

The UoM incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many people demanding stricter laws and better enforcement of anti-harassment policies in universities. Lower Dir social activists and student leaders have also called for strict background checks for faculty hiring, stronger student support and counselling services, independent harassment committees in universities and harsher legal consequences for offenders.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025