Rahim Yar Khan's Khwaja Fareed University forms inquiry committee over harassment allegations

University says no formal complaint has been received and committee will examine screenshots and records

RAHIM YAR KHAN:

Rahim Yar Khan's Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT) has constituted an inquiry committee after screenshots and allegations concerning the alleged harassment of a female student by a university lecturer surfaced on social media.

According to the claims circulating online, the student accused the lecturer of sending inappropriate messages, allegedly pressuring her to meet him and threatening academic consequences if she refused.

The university, however, said no formal written complaint had so far been received from any student and that the committee would examine the screenshots, available information and other relevant records to establish the facts.

The student further claimed that she was allegedly offered better marks and grades and was repeatedly contacted through WhatsApp messages, SMS and phone calls.

She said she had retained records of the alleged communications and claimed that the matter had also been brought to the attention of the vice chancellor through email.

The allegations have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, the KFUEIT administration said that some negative reports and claims concerning students and faculty members were circulating on social media. However, it said no formal written complaint had so far been received from any student in this regard.

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The administration said it had constituted an inquiry committee to establish the facts surrounding the claims circulating online.

The committee would examine the available information, screenshots and other relevant records before submitting its recommendations to the university administration.

The university said that if a formal written complaint was submitted by a student or any other relevant person, the matter would be investigated in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures.

It added that necessary action would be taken if any violation was established.

The administration reiterated that providing students with a safe, healthy and conducive academic environment was among the university’s priorities.

It said matters relating to academic standards and student safety would be dealt with according to university rules and regulations.