Judicial probe into IUB scandal sought

A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court, seeking the formation of a judicial commission or committee consisting of sitting judges of the High Court to investigate the alleged scam of drug peddling and sexual harassment at Islamia University Bahawalpur.

The petitioner, Mushkoor Hussain, filed the petition through advocate Nadeem Sarwar, making the Province of Punjab through the Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Punjab (IGP) Police, Director General of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Chief Minister of Punjab (Care Taker) through its Principal Secretary, and Vice Chancellor of Islamia University Bahawalpur as respondents.

The petition states that a few weeks back, the police arrested the Islamia University Bahawalpur’s chief security officer and allegedly recovered ice (Crystal meth) and aphrodisiacs from his possession, along with objectionable videos of officials and students of the university from his two mobile phones.

According to the FIR registered on the complaint of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Afzal Nawaz, a car was signaled to stop at a police picket. The driver attempted to return, but the police intercepted the vehicle. Upon searching the car, the police found 10 grams of Ice and aphrodisiacs in the possession of the driver, who identified himself as the IUB Chief Security Officer.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect’s two mobile phones contained numerous objectionable videos and pictures of women, including officials of various departments and female students of IUB. The suspect confessed to using and selling ice, and the objectionable material was allegedly used to blackmail the students, threatening to share them with their parents.

Additionally, the suspect claimed to have been monitoring the security cameras at the Islamia University Bahawalpur and used the footage to film female students in compromising situations, which were later used for sexual exploitation and blackmail. The investigation also pointed to the involvement of professors and staff members of the university in this appalling situation.

Following the incident, a three-member committee was formed by the caretaker Chief Minister to probe the matter, and the university also formed an internal committee to investigate and suspended two officials arrested by the police.

It is surprising that only a case was registered against the chief security officer under CNSA 1997, while ignoring the registration of a case under PECA 2016 against all the individuals, including staff and teachers, involved in the objectionable videos.

Furthermore, the involvement of a son of a federal minister in the matter has reportedly put pressure on the police and other law enforcement agencies to suppress the issue.

The recent arrests and allegations of drug abuse and sexual exploitation at IUB are deeply concerning and tarnish the sanctity of educational institutions. Such serious incidents demand immediate and thorough investigation.

Given the severity of the charges and the need for impartiality and transparency, it is essential to approach this sensitive matter with utmost seriousness and responsibility. Therefore, the petition urges that only judicial supervision can ensure a fair and unbiased investigation into this distressing matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2023.