Students at a private medical college in Lahore have taken to protesting following allegations that a recent student death was the result of maltreatment by the institution, possibly leading to suicide.
According to a social media post, a fourth-year student named Mahnoor passed away, initially reported as due to heart failure, but students claim it was suicide. Allegations include the denial of medical leaves to Mahnoor.
These accusations extend beyond Mahnoor’s case. An Instagram handle, thenewspaper.pk, shared a series of slides detailing abuses at Avicenna Medical College, allegedly orchestrated by the college chairman, Abdul Waheed Sheikh, and his daughters who hold significant administrative positions. Allegations include heavy fines, denial of leave, and verbal abuse towards students.
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Another presentation by the same source, titled “Horrors at Avicenna: Student Testimonials and Evidence,” featured audio recordings revealing Abdul Waheed Sheikh’s verbal abuse towards a student, including derogatory language. In the recording, the student apologizes while insisting that his name was wrongly placed on a list.
An absolute horror story coming out of Avicenna Medical College, Lahore :
On April 27th, Mahnoor died. Students think it’s a suicide. It’s a humiliating torture cell. Students have had their heads shaved of, made to sit in suffocating rooms, phones hammered down, clothes cut. pic.twitter.com/ccNcEUjxaL
— Hamd Nawaz (@_SophieSchol) April 28, 2024
Unbelievable! It just keeps getting worse. Just discovered that there’s a certain ‘pink list’ – a term used for a 4 hour punishment of sitting on cold floors, or doing push-ups with bags on head. This is so hideous, one can’t even begin comprehending where is it coming from… pic.twitter.com/RnLFCjaRLu
— Jamal Awan (@jamalawan42) April 28, 2024
Moreover, a video showed Sheikh tearing a student’s shirt because it was improperly tucked in. The presentation also highlighted instances where female students were subjected to abuse and character assassination for not wearing a dupatta.
Meanwhile, Protestors gathered on Monday outside the college, demanding an investigation into these allegations and justice for Mahnoor.
there is some issues regarding harassment and use of abusive language with students from chairman of Avicenna medical college and faculty member recently one fellow died due to cardiac arrest because she was in depression due to mental torture from Avicenna medical college pic.twitter.com/tZkhNsx2xE
— Dr Muhammad Asfar shaheen sandhu (@ShaheenAsfar) April 29, 2024
In response, the college owner addressed the media, expressing concern for the students and stating that measures have been taken to address their grievances.
