Yet another probe into sexual harassment

MULTAN, Aug 17: The Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) syndicate has formed yet another committee to probe the alleged sexual harassment of two psychology department female students.

The syndicate appointed Lahore High Court Justice Khalid Alvi, also a syndicate member, and Dr G.A. Meyana, former Gomal University vice chancellor, committee members to hear the alleged harassment of victims on Aug 25, BZU vice chancellor Muhammad Zaffarullah said.

It will be a third inquiry into the allegations of two clinical psychology students, who say that on May 23 when they were attempting their paper, a female teacher summoned them to her office on charges of cheating.

They alleged that four women teachers forced them to take off their clothes for body search and asked them to “please” a male teacher.

Earlier, a two-member committee, consisting of Dr Humaira Arif Dasti and Dr Zahida Tassawur, looked into the matter but the complainants boycotted the proceedings, which forced the university to make another four-member inquiry team, consisting of Dr G.R. Pasha, Dr Sikandar Hayat, Sahr Khalil and Dr Khwaja Alqama. The body submitted its findings to the vice chancellor on July 1.

A syndicate member seeking anonymity said the report of the four-member committee was presented in the meeting but the administration tried to hush up the matter.

The complainants said they would present all evidences to the new committee.
Source: Dawn
Date:8/18/2008