QUETTA: Like on the issue of ‘midnight operation’ to expel post-graduate girl students from Bolan Medical University hostel, members from both sides of the aisle in the provincial assembly reunited on Tuesday, this time to voice concern over an alleged ‘blackmail and harassment’ scandal in the Balochistan University (BU).

They demanded a “fair” inquiry into the ugly episode that has taken place at the leading educational institute of the province through a parliamentary committee.

Speaker Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo responded by announcing the formation of a 10-member committee comprising Sana Baloch, Nasarullah Zerey, Syed Fazal Agha, Ehsan Shah, Shakeela Dhewar, Mah Jabeen, Saleem Ahmed Khosa, Asadullah Baloch, Dhanesh Kumar and Malik Naeem Bazai.

The Federal Investigation Agency is already investigating reports about the blackmailing and harassing of girl students and some female factuality members, on the orders of the Balochistan High Court after Chief Justice Jamal Kahn Mandokhail took suo motu notice of the scandal.

“We have interrogated some suspected varsity officials,” an official said. However, no arrest has been made.

At the advent of the session, Sana Baloch of BNP-Mengal stood up on a point of order to condemn the shameful saga, saying this is the first time that such kind of unethical scandal has surfaced at the oldest and highly prestigious institute of Balochistan.

Strict action should be taken against those involved in the episode, he said. An FIR must be registered immediately though some “powerful’ elements do not want the case to be registered.

Mr Zerey of the PkMAP also called for removal of ban on student union in universities which are nurseries of future politicians.

Since the scandal has surfaced, tension prevails on the campus, Ms Dhewar said and asked how the shattered trust of girl students of the varsity would be restored?

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2019