Khwaja Fareed University forms inquiry committee over harassment allegations

RAHIM YAR KHAN: Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology (KFUEIT) has formed an inquiry committee to investigate allegations of harassment involving a female student and a university lecturer after screenshots of alleged communications surfaced on social media.

According to the allegations, the lecturer allegedly sent inappropriate messages, repeatedly contacted the student through WhatsApp, SMS and phone calls, pressured her to meet him and threatened academic consequences if she refused.

The student also claimed that she was offered better marks and grades.

The student reportedly said she had preserved records of the alleged communications and had also brought the matter to the attention of the vice chancellor through email.

The university administration, however, said it had not received any formal written complaint from a student regarding the matter. It said the inquiry committee would review the screenshots, available information and other relevant records to determine the facts.

The administration said that if a formal complaint was submitted, the matter would be investigated under the applicable rules and procedures. It added that appropriate action would be taken if any violation was established.

The university also reaffirmed its commitment to providing students with a safe and conducive academic environment and said matters concerning student safety and academic standards would be dealt with in accordance with university regulations.

The allegations have not been independently verified.