BAHAWALPUR: Governor/Chancellor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan says that harassment of women at any university would not be tolerated.

He was delivering his presidential addresses at the opening ceremony of Arfa Karim Academic Block at the Government Sadiq College Women University (GSCWU) Bahawalpur.

The governor said he had zero tolerance for women’s harassment, narcotics and indecent culture at the universities and if any harassment case would be reported to him, the culprit would not be spared and he would face dismissal in addition to conviction in accordance with the law.

He also made it clear that he had zero tolerance policy for ‘sifarish’ also and uncultured behaviour, stressing that merit policy at the educational institutions would be ensured.

Mr Khan said women’s higher education was the priority of the government and hoped that the GSCWU would give its best performance in the future at the international level.

On the occasion, GSCWU Vice Chancellor Dr Shazia Anjum said that the total cost of the new academic block was Rs731m.

Later, at the inaugural ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Islamia University IUB), Bahawalpur, the government paid homage to the late Nawab Bahawalpur for his establishment of this Jamia in 1925 and the late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto for its upgrade of a full–fledged university in 1975.

Mr Khan said that the current era was of knowledge, economy, science and technology and digital development and the youth faced challenges like environmental changes, growing population and food security, which the educated generation had to solve. He said the teachings of brotherhood and love of Khwaja Ghulam Farid were a beacon of light and hope for us.

On this occasion, IUB Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Kamran traced the history of the establishment of the former Jamia Islamia.

He said the IUB was among the top 1,000 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education and QS rankings.

The governor awarded cash prizes to the students who performed the national anthem at the ceremony.

The governor also inaugurated the Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi Centenary Gate, Faculty Hostel and Shopping Market.

Being the chairman of board of Governors of Sadiq Public School (SPS) Bahawalpur, he also visited tge school and met its Principal Muhammad Ahmed.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2025