Sheeran to head parliamentary panel to probe into UoB scandal

MPA says all aspects of the case will be investigated

QUETTA: A parliamentary committee set up to investigate into the University of Balochistan blackmailing scandal has unanimously elected MPA Mahjabeen Sheeran as its chairperson.

Speaking at the committee’s meeting, Sheeran said the scandal had dented the educational environment of the province and all aspects of the case would be thoroughly reviewed.

The committee will submit its report to the Balochistan Assembly after interviewing university staff and the students sexually harassed and blackmailed by the university administration.

Other members of the parliamentary panel, Meer Asad Baloch, Meer Saleem Khosa, Denish Kumar, Sana Baloch, Naseullah Zeeray and Shakeela Naved, were present at the meeting.

The scandal had come to light about a month ago when the Balochistan High Court (BHC) directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate reports of students being harassed on the campus

Senate panel orders UoB to remove unnecessary CCTVs

The FIA later discovered that male and female students were being blackmailed by some staff members using ‘objectionable’ videos of them recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various places on the campus including its washrooms.

The video scandal sparked a series of protests and outrage in the province following sexual harassment and blackmailing at the University of Balochistan as political parties and student organisations have been demanding strict action against the criminals.

Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also chancellor of all provincial universities, has vowed to take strict action against criminals involved in harassing and blackmailing students.

The vice chancellor of the university, Dr Javid Iqbal, stepped down on Sunday after being accused of involvement in the scandal.

According to a notification issued by the Balochistan governor’s office, Dr Iqbal decided to step down to let the FIA conduct a fair inquiry into the recent cases of harassment at the varsity.

Acting vice-chancellor of the University of Balochistan Muhammad Anwer Panezai has suspended four varsity employees over their alleged involvement in harassing and blackmailing female students.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2019.