Police have arrested a staff member of the Islamic University Bahawalpur 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. Finance Director Abu Bakar and Transport Incharge Muhammad Altaf were also taken into custody after a police raid.
A case was registered at the Baghdad-ul-Jadid Police Station which stated 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 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 claimed that a group of teachers at the university was involved in the sale of drugs and sexual exploitation of female students and teachers.
Earlier, Police arrested the university’s security officer 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 had been revealed that the drug dealer student studying at the university was in contact with Ijaz’s colleagues. Ijaz Shah was in police custody after a court approved judicial remand till July 24.
Anti-university campaign
Islamia University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Athar Mehboob wrote a letter to IG Punjab Police and denied such allegations completely as an “anti-university” campaign.
“IUB is following zero tolerance policy for the use of contraband drugs as well as sexual harassment or exploitation,” the letter said, adding that the cases against the officials were ‘bogus’,” he stated
The letter stated that the cases registered against the university officials were “false” and that a joint investigation team should be formed for a transparent investigation of the matter. “There is an implicit attempt to defame the university,” he added.
On Friday, 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.
