KARACHI: Several students and teachers have lodged complaints with the administration of the University of Karachi with regard to an “uneasy environment” at the School of Law due to what they alleged was moral policing and troubling conduct by some staff members.

The written complaints, seen by Dawn, were submitted to the registrar’s office late last month, after which KU took action and suspended a lower-grade employee.

The complaints were about growing incidents of “moral policing” and inappropriate behaviour against some named staff members.

Those who lodged the complaints with the administration alleged that the varsity was yet to take action against those named in their complaints.

Dean of Law Barrister Metlo denies charges; says ‘some complaints’ filed with registrar are being investigated

One faculty member told Dawn that the issue had been continuing for more than a year, as some staff members would question male and female students whenever they saw them sitting together in any empty classroom or elsewhere and accuse them of inappropriate conduct.

The teacher said the staff members in question reprimanded students as well as teachers for what they called “allowing immoral activities”.

According to the complaints filed with the registrar’s office, a similar issue had occurred on Sept 24 when one of the staff members shouted at the librarian for allowing boys and girls to “sit alone in the library”.

Another teacher said several complaints had been filed against that particular staff member for moral policing, but no action had been taken against him.

A senior official of the School of Law denied the allegations and said there was “no moral policing or anything of the sort at the department”.

He said complaints were filed after some faculty members issued explanation notices for not observing official working hours.

When contacted, Barrister Sarfaraz Metlo, the dean of the Faculty of Law, told Dawn: “There is no moral policing. Faculty members, staff and students are adults and responsible for their actions. The School of Law is meant to maintain a secure environment for everyone.”

However, he said some complaints filed to the registrar were being investigated by an inquiry officer appointed by the vice chancellor.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2026