Quaid-i-Azam University sexual harassment cases

ISLAMABAD, July 29: Two faculty members of the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) facing charges of sexual harassment are likely to lose their jobs as a probe committee unveils its findings before the university`s syndicate today, Dawn has learnt.

The committee, formed under the anti-harassment law passed in December last year, will inform the syndicate – made up of parliamentarians, senior faculty members, Higher Education Commission (HEC) representatives – about its findings in two cases of sexual harassment.

According to sources, a controller examination would be given forced retirement and an IT lecturer would likely be handed down a termination letter.

“The four-member committee has a statutory standing. It has studied the two harassment cases in QAU and will disclose their recommendations for implementation. That also includes fixing punishment according to provisions in the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act,” said QAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Masoom Yasinzai. He added that the committee made up of senior QAU faculty members had 30 days to share its findings.

According to the VC, the syndicate, which met last Saturday to go through all relevant documents, was bound to implement the committee`s recommendations.

“Failing to implement the recommendations, the committee can knock on the doors of ombudsperson who can then force the competent authority to carry them out,” Dr Yasinzai said, adding that the VC or the syndicate could not influence the committee`s decisions.

Some faculty members and parents believed that some good had come out of the probe.

“The two cases are precedents where students did what was right – report to authorities. The committee`s findings could restore confidence in students and parents alike that people responsible for such unimaginable behaviour are held accountable,” said a faculty member

Emphasising that the anti-harassment law should be introduced in all workplaces, Dr Yasinzai said, “Things are different today. We must know our jobs and what is required of us.”

The VC also believed that the anti-harassment law was in line with values, society and religion and should be supported as long as it was not abused.Dawn.