Balochistan university VC steps down as inquiry against harassment at varsity intensifies

Students of Balochistan University are protesting against a blackmailing and harassment scandal that has plagued the university and resulted in a Federal Investigation Agency inquiry into the matter. 

According to reports, the students are demanding a free and fair inquiry into the behavior of administration officials at the university that are alleged to have used surveillance videos to blackmail students. 

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Last week, Dr Javed Iqbal, the Vice Chancellor of the university, agreed to step down in order to give way to the conduction of an impartial inquiry into the allegations. 

Oc October 17, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had published a report alleging that it had found an alarming level of surveillance on campus at the university. 

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While this is in place ostensibly for reasons of security, the recent allegations show how easy it is for surveillance to become a tool of harassment, most often at women’s expense, the HRCP said.

Showing solidarity with students and teachers of Balochiostan university protesting against campus harassment, students, political and civil society activists in Karachi also staged a protest last week. 

According to the FIA, both female and male students “were being blackmailed by some staff members through “objectionable” videos of them, recorded through CCTV cameras hidden at various places on the campus, including its washrooms.