University of Balochistan VC steps down for fair probe into harassment scandal – Pakistan

QUETTA: Dr. Javed Iqbal, vice chancellor of the University of Baluchistan (BoU), temporarily left his office to "let the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) complete his" fair "investigation into the blackmail and bullying scandal of students "plagued the oldest and most prestigious higher education seat in the province.

The elimination of VC Iqbal was announced through an official notification issued by the Baluchistan governor's office on Sunday.

The notification says that in order to ensure a fair investigation into the scandal and at the request of BoU VC, retired Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai, who is also Chancellor of the University of Balochistan, has accepted Dr. Iqbal's request to "resign from his responsibilities "as vice chancellor until the FIA ​​completes its investigation into the scandal.

Consequently, Professor Dr. Mohammad Anwar Panizai has received the position of the VC office until further notice, the notification adds.

NP rejects the movement, demands the elimination of the employees of the university team involved in the episode

Meanwhile, FIA officials who have been commissioned by the Baluchistan High Court (BHC) to investigate the blackmail and harassment faced by several university students, both male and female, said the statements of "some officials / employees of the university "have been recorded and" a report on the episode in final stages ".

However, "none of the alleged victims" of blackmail and harassment "has appeared before the FIA ​​investigation team" so far, sources aware of the events said. Dawn. No official / employee of the university has been arrested in this regard so far.

Protest

Also on Sunday, the National Party (NP) organized demonstrations and held demonstrations in different parts of Balochistan to express concern over the "shameful video scandal", demanding "the removal of BoU officials involved in harassing students" .

"This problem cannot be solved by resigning the vice chancellor because the … staff (of the university team) are supposedly involved in … harassing and blackmailing students, particularly girls," said NP Secretary General Jan Mohammad Buledi .

Parliamentary panel

The committee established by the Balochistan Assembly to carry out the investigation of the scandal could not have begun its work, since, at its first meeting on Friday, the panel could not even elect its president.

The president of the Balochistan Assembly, Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, who had set up the committee, had ordered him to submit his report in 10 days.

The 10-member committee held its meeting to elect the president, but its members split in nominating a person for the position. Members of the treasure banks proposed the name of Syed Ehsan Shah for the presidency, while members of the opposition presented the name of Sana Baloch.

After a consensus on a person for the presidency could not be reached, the meeting was postponed until October 23.

Posted on Dawn, October 21, 2019