‘Harassment incidents in varsities won’t be tolerated’

LAHORE : Caretaker Education Minister Punjab Mansoor Qadir has said that strict measures will be taken to prevent incidents of sexual harassment in universities.

While presiding over a meeting of the Higher Education Department (HED) Punjab here on Thursday, the minister said that no male employees should be recruited in girls' hostels while assistance of the Special Branch will be taken to verify the character of the employees recruited in the universities. 

The minister further said that a team consisting of academics would prepare comprehensive rules based on guidelines for universities and experts would submit recommendations in three days, which would be implemented in all universities of the province. He also emphasised the holding of seminars and special lectures on this sensitive topic across all universities. He said that it was necessary to build new universities on a strong foundation to enable the new generation to create a developed and prosperous Pakistan ready for modern requirements.

The affairs of the University of Chakwal were reviewed during the meeting. The minister addressed several issues concerning universities, advocating against the recruitment of male employees in girls' hostels. He stressed that incidents of sexual harassment would not be tolerated while there would severe consequences for those responsible. The minister also directed the VC of Chakwal University to provide free classes for E-CAT test preparation immediately after intermediate results. The meeting also decided to secure the historical sites of the University of Chakwal's Arya Block and Ashnan Ghat in consultation with the Department of Archaeology.