LOWER DIR: The University of Malakand (UoM) has dismissed a teacher for harassing a student.

According to a notification issued by the UoM registrar, the services of Abdul Haseeb Khan, a lecturer (BPS-18) in Pakistan Studies department, were terminated with immediate effect after allegations of harassment against a female student from the Urdu department’s sixth semester were proved against him.

The incident gained widespread attention after going viral on social media, sparking outrage among residents of Dir and Malakand.

The student lodged an FIR against Mr Haseeb at the Jehan Bakht Shaheed police post, Pul Chowki, on February 4.

In her complaint, she alleged the accused had attempted to abduct her from her home against her will, using force and issuing threats to intimidate her.

She further stated that he had been harassing her persistently over the past several months.

In response, the UoM administration assigned the case to its anti-harassment committee for investigation.

On the following day, the university suspended the accused and announced that its syndicate would make a final decision based on the committee’s recommendations.

Additionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur took notice of the case and formed a two-member committee to investigate the matter further.

According to the notification issued by the UoM registrar on March 3, the university’s syndicate convened its 18th emergency meeting on March 1.

Exercising its authority under section 23(2) (m-i) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Universities Act, 2012, in conjunction with section 4(4)(ii)(d) of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, the syndicate approved the recommendations of the anti-harassment committee and decided to dismiss Abdul Haseeb from service with immediate effect.

Published in Dawn, March 6th, 2025