Sexual harassment scandal rocks Bahawalnagar college campus

BAHAWALNAGAR:

An incident of sexual harassment has surfaced at Islamia University’s Bahawalnagar campus, where a female student defied the administration’s attempts to cover up the matter, leading to the arrest of a professor.

The student filed a complaint against a Physical Education Department teacher, Nadeem Ahmed, accusing him of sending inappropriate videos and subjecting her to repeated harassment.

According to the first information report (FIR) filed at B Division police station in Bahawalnagar city, Ahmed would summon the student to his office, hold her hand and make unwanted advances.

He also allegedly threatened her with demotions and possible expulsion if she did not comply with his demands.

The student initially filed a complaint with the university’s Anti-Harassment Cell, but according to the FIR, the administration tried to suppress the matter, without taking timely or effective action.

It was only after she took her case to the police that a formal investigation began which resulted in Ahmed’s arrest. After the registration of the FIR, the administration of Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB), under whose jurisdiction the Bahawalnagar campus is located, issued a press release.

Vice Chancellor Professor Muhammad Kamran suspended Nadeem Ahmed from his post and launched an investigation.

The statement stressed that there was an anti-bullying committee, in line with Higher Education Commission (HEC) policies, and assured that the investigation would be carried out in a transparent manner.

The university pledged to take swift action if Ahmed is found guilty, with a report expected within 30 days.

This is not the first time that the Bahawalnagar campus has been embroiled in controversy. University sources revealed that the suspect had been involved in other incidents of sexual harassment against students.

A student in the same department, speaking on condition of anonymity, shared that she had also been harassed by Ahmed for several months. Although his parents provided evidence to the campus principal in March 2024, no action was taken against the teacher.

The student’s account confirmed that the university’s Anti-Harassment Cell had previously found Ahmed guilty, leading to a three-month suspension without pay. However, the fact that the university did not address the issue effectively allowed him to resume his duties.

Recently, a major scandal at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur involved drug-trafficking and harassment of students, which led to the arrest of influential female university employees.

Responding to the harassment case, Vice-Chancellor Dr Kamran assured the public that the university is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all students.

He reiterated that harassment in any form would not be tolerated and any employee found guilty would face serious consequences.

The VC stressed that the university’s Anti-Harassment Committee is functioning as per HEC guidelines and will ensure thorough and impartial investigation.