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There have been widespread condemnation and outrage over incidents of sexual harassment of female students and teachers at the Islamia University Bahawalpur.
The incident surfaced after four staff members including a security officer were arrested to possessing drugs and selling them on campus to female students.
Social media users said the harassment of female students at the university was a norm. They said stringent measures should be taken to make the campus safe for female students.
Police have arrested a staff member as part of the crackdown against possessing obscene videos and images of students. The arrests began when the security advisor, Ijaz Shah, was detained during a search after police found him possessing drugs on him. Finance Director Abu Bakar and Transport Incharge Muhammad Altaf were also arrested.
A case was registered at the Baghdad-ul-Jadid police station stating that eight grams of ice [crystal methamphetamine] was found in the right pocket of Muhammad Altaf who confessed to possessing the drug. The complaint was registered under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act for possessing, trading, and financing narcotic drugs.
Police investigation has claimed that 400 obscene videos and images were found in the investigation process. A forensic examination was conducted and officials have sent the report to the interim chief minister of Punjab.
Police arrested the university’s Chief Security Officer Syed Ijaz after allegedly discovering drugs in his possession Police also found alleged obscene content linked to the university’s female officials and students on his mobile phones. Police said it has been revealed that the drug dealer student studying at the university was in contact with Ijaz’s colleagues.
The Aurat March Lahore expressed its dismay over reports of women being “spied on, harassed, and blackmailed” at the university. “Islamia University Bahawalpur’s ex-head of security was caught with multiple videos of female students and staff on his mobile phones,” the organisation for women’s rights tweeted.
The Aurat March alleged that all such incidents were happening while the Higher Education Commission has insisted on more cameras on campus to make the university campuses “safe”.
It was of the view that the university administration’s decision to set early curfews for women hostels only limits their mobility, employment and freedom.
