Islamia University Bahawalpur case: No drug use, sexual harassment: tribunal report

LAHORE: In its report, the one-member tribunal investigating the scandal of Islamia University Bahawalpur has established that neither there was any case of drug use nor any incident of sexual harassment took place but the case was unjustifiably made serious by the police.

The tribunal’s report said videos of women unnecessarily went viral on social media, causing damage to the university and the dignity of women.

Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfaraz Dogar has recommended action against five persons. They include DSP CIA Bahawalpur, DPO Bahawalpur and Sub-Inspector SHO Police Station Dravar Bahawalpur.

It also recommended effective measures against harassment of women in universities across the country. It recommended a safe campus environment, regular monitoring, drug testing, counselling and communication with the parents.

Shahzad Khalid, spokesperson of the university, said the university has not yet received any such report.

The instructions given by the Punjab government would be followed, he said.

A criminal case was registered against two employees including Chief Security Officer Ijaz Shah.

The case in the inquiry by the university and HEC is not based on allegations of drug use but on audit paras of financial irregularities. The caretaker Punjab government had constituted the tribunal on August 9, 2023. After its report, a committee consisting of three provincial ministers has also been formed, which will submit its recommendations to the cabinet.

Bahawalpur police sources also confirmed the decision of the tribunal would be implemented by IG Punjab. The DPO was taking a special interest and he had prepared the reports.