Protesters demand removal of SALU VC over video scandal

Vice Chancellor Dr Ibupoto insists video fake, doctored through technology

HYDERABAD:

The teachers, staff and students of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur, on Monday demanded removal of Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalil Ahmed Ibupoto who has become ensnared by the controversy of his alleged indecent video leaked on social media. The protest, whose participants marched from SALU's entrance to the press club, was called by the Joint Action Committee, representing the varsity's teachers and officials.

The committee's Syed Muneer Shah Rashdi said the video has damaged the reputation of the entire institution because of involvement of the university's head. "Dr Ibupoto's immoral behaviour has stained SALU." Rashidi said the VC is blaming him and some other officials for leaking the video. Dr Ibupoto has also claimed that the video is a fake, edited version.

Rashdi said the VC's allegations and denial are fake and demanded his removal and a thorough investigation of the matter.

Prof Ikhtiar Ghumro maintained that such incidents also discouraged female students from completing their higher education. He, therefore, demanded that the punishment for the offence should be commensurate with the nature and impact of the indecent offence.

Read SALU VC’s ‘indecent’ video goes viral

 

The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) has also taken up this issue with the Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (r) Maqbool Baqar, calling for removal of the VC of SALU. The CM has reportedly received complaints from some academicians of SALU in writing.

In a video message shared on social media, the VC claimed that he was being blackmailed by some subordinate officials for some months. According to him, in this regard he submitted a written complaint to the cyber crime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on September 9, 2023, accusing the

Network Operator Rashdi, Administrative Officer Tahir Abbass Khaskheli, Senior Data Processing Officer Mohammad Younis Phuelpoto and Hakim Ali Phulpoto of blackmail.

He stated that the accused persons were making certain unacceptable demands while threatening him that they were in possession of a compromising video of the VC which might be leaked on social media if he did not accept their demands.

Dr Ibupoto credited his administration for undertaking reforms and improving the quality of education while closing the doors for corruption and nepotism. He alleged that the people framing him through the video are the same who were not entertained by his office.