The Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Sukkur circuit bench has ordered the Khairpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to investigate sexual harassment complaints made by female students at the Shah Abdul Latif University.
The petition, which was filed against dual jobs of an associate professor, irregularities in the appointment of substitute teachers, and allegations of sexual harassment of female students at the university, was heard by a double bench comprising Justices Salahuddin Panhwar and Abdul Mubeen Lakho.
According to a report filed by Dawn, the bench ordered the SSP to set up an anti-harassment cell, headed by a woman inspector, at the entrance of the university.
It was also ordered that the security of women students should be ensured on their way to the university from their homes and hostels.
A woman magistrate should visit the girls’ hostels at the university to investigate if the students were harassed, the court added. The court also ordered that a quarterly report on the matter be submitted to the court.
The court ordered legal action in case the harassment allegations were proven to be true.
Pakistan often ranks among the worst countries for women and demands for gender equality are often criticised by the conservative elements in the country.
