Unexpected support at QAU: Syndicate undecided on punishing harassers

Show-cause notices to be issued to the accused.

ISLAMABAD:

The Quad-i-Azam University (QAU) syndicate has again failed to give any verdict on the recommendations of the Anti-harassment Committee on two officials of the university for harassing female students.

On Friday, the syndicate postponed its final decision till August 20 and decided to issue show-cause notices to the accused to submit their replies within a week.

The meeting of the syndicate was held at QAU with Vice-Chancellor Dr Masoom Yasinzai in the chair. Sources privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune that there were some differences among the syndicate members on the findings and recommendations of the committee.

A source in the QAU, requesting not to be named, said that during the meeting, ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sherry Rehman supported the anti-sexual harassment committees’ recommendations, however, another ruling party lawmaker MNA Justice (retd) Fakhrun Nisa strongly opposed the recommendation of expelling the two officials from service and suggested that they should be issued show-cause notices before the final decision.

She also asked the syndicate members to hear the accused before taking any action against them.

The syndicate was also given the power of “Competent Authority” to implement the inquiry committee’s decision.

Last week, the anti-harassment committee finalised its report recommending forced retirement for the Controller of Examination, Sardar Muhammad Badar and termination from service for IT Department teacher, Prof. Noor Mustafa Awan after finding them guilty.

The first case surfaced on June 17, when a girl student of Natural Sciences Department lodged a written complaint with the VC, accusing Badar of sexually harassing her when she visited his office.

Following the allegation, the VC constituted a four-member committee to investigate the matter. On July 9, another case surfaced when a female student of IT Department accused Prof Awan of harassing her. The case was brought to the notice of the VC, who sent it to the  committee.

The meeting was attended by Natural Sciences dept Dean Prof Qaiser Mushtaq, Justice Nasirul Mulk, Biochemistry dept teacher Prof Waseem Ahmad, Associate Prof. Dr Muhammad Ishaq, registrar, representatives of the Presidency and HEC.



Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2011.