A university lecturer in Malakand district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has been arrested and suspended after being accused of sexually harassing and intimidating a female student, it was revealed on Sunday.
Azhar Zahoor, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Malakand, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended after a formal complaint was filed. “The suspect is currently in jail, and investigations are continuing,” he said.
The incident, as per a first information report (FIR) filed on February 4 at Malakand’s Pull Chowki police station, involves a local woman who is a student in the Urdu department at Malakand University. The FIR was registered at 4:40 pm, noting the incident occurred at 3:30 pm.
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The charges in the FIR include Sections 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), 365B (kidnapping, abduction, or coercion for marriage), and 506 (criminal intimidation) under the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Additionally, Sections 452 (house-trespass with intent to commit an offense) and 511 (attempt to commit an offense punishable with life imprisonment or a shorter term) were also included.
The complainant alleges that on the day of the incident, the lecturer entered her home, forcibly grabbed her hand, and attempted to drag her away in front of her family. She further claims that he left after threatening her with severe consequences if she refused to marry him.
In the FIR, the victim stated: “One of the teachers, a resident of Peshawar, has been following me for several months, attempting to harass and physically assault me. I reported this to the university management multiple times.”
University official Khan reiterated details from a press release, saying the university’s Anti-Harassment Committee had met with the victim to hear her account. “The committee will formally submit its report with recommendations to the university syndicate for further action,” Khan added, emphasizing the institution’s zero-tolerance policy on harassment and commitment to ensuring a safe and fair educational environment.
The press release from the University of Malakand reaffirmed the commitment to an impartial investigation and that the case would be pursued based on all available evidence.
Additionally, a notification from the KP Chief Minister’s Secretariat announced the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the allegations. The committee, which includes Additional Secretary Administration Asif Rahim and City Police Officer Sonia Shamroz, will visit the university to collect statements and relevant facts from all parties involved. The Deputy Commissioner and District Police Officer of Lower Dir have been instructed to offer administrative support.
The committee has been given 15 days to submit a report, including evidence and recommendations for legal or disciplinary action, if necessary.
This case adds to a history of controversies at the University of Malakand, including a September 2023 incident where an assistant professor accused the university’s pro-vice chancellor of severe physical abuse, which led to an FIR with counter-allegations. Furthermore, protests erupted in June 2024 after a student died in a road accident following his alleged expulsion from the hostel for playing the rabab, sparking sit-ins and demands for the dismissal of university officials over alleged mistreatment of students.
