ollowing reports of harassment and drug abuse at Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman, who is also the chancellor of the university, recently issued a letter directing the vice chancellors/rectors of all varsities to take necessary measures to check such crimes on campus.

The letter mandates forming inquiry committees in accordance with the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010; and the Punjab Higher Education Commission’s Policy on Protection against Sexual Harassment in Higher Education Institutions. The existing committees have been directed to be active. All complaints of sexual harassment must be referred to these committees with a 45-day inquiry timeline.

Additionally, the varsities are required to appoint a senior female faculty member as the focal person. The letter states that campus administrations are responsible for their students’ conduct.

All universities are obligated to have an effective monitoring system. The administrations have been asked to develop an effective complaints mechanism and ensure prompt resolution of complaints. The procedure for reporting such complaints should be readily accessible to the public in Urdu language and, if possible, in local/ regional languages.

Dr Khurram Shehzad, an assistant professor at the University of Punjab’s School of Communication, claims that while the committees are already functional, media reports about the IUB and the subsequent public outcry have led to a heightened awareness among students.

Afnan Akram, a UoP student, says that their department coordinator and faculty members encourage reporting inappropriate behavior. He says they have instilled confidence among students that the university authorities will take all complaints seriously.

While the resolution of the IUB case falls within the purview of government agencies, addressing the issue of drugs on campuses is a collective responsibility that demands a comprehensive approach.

However, Dr Rizwan Safdar, an assistant professor in sociology, remains sceptical. He says that issues such as harassment and toxic masculinity cannot be eradicated from the society. He also says that the media should have reported the issue after making proper inquiries and identifying the guilty parties.

Calling for support for the faculty, employees and students of the university, he says that all the varsities should convey to the world that they are credible places of learning.

In a recent development, the Federal Investigation Agency has placed certain individuals on the Exit Control List due to their alleged involvement in the IUB scandal. Prof Naveed Akhtar, the acting IUB vice chancellor, has confirmed the suspension and imprisonment of the university’s chief security officer. Reports from investigation committees are expected to arrive soon.

While the resolution of the IUB case falls within the purview of government agencies, addressing the availability of drugs on campuses is a collective responsibility that demands a comprehensive approach. The government has taken steps to combat the problem, issuing a notification to universities to ensure drug-free campuses.

Abdul Rehman Shah, the special secretary, has issued a circular, titled Drugs and Narcotics Free University Campuses, referencing decisions made in the Vice Chancellor’s Conference in Kohsar University in 2022.

The circular directs universities to actively combat narcotics use among their students, staff, and faculty. It also calls on the security staff to collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies in preventing the supply of drugs on campuses. Further, it says, orientation sessions for newcomers should include information about the prohibition of drugs and anti-social behaviour. Special counselling sessions with parents may also be organised in specific cases, with focus on maintaining confidentiality through the involvement of female counsellors and staff.

A report by social scientists and psychologists has revealed that one in ten students suffers from substance abuse. It is feared that drugs are available at every other educational institution.

The report classifies vulnerable students into three categories: a) students from affluent backgrounds who lack attention from their parents and rely heavily on disposable and market-cooked food; b) students from whose parents have turbulent marriages; and c) students who accompany their parents to private parties and use drugs to enhance their social status.

To address the issue, the Education Department has made it mandatory for every educational institution to obtain a certificate for being drug-free. Besides, the use of mobile phones on campuses has been banned. Further, drug officers are tasked with enforcing drug-free area monitoring.

Syed Zulfiqar Hussain, an anti-narcotics campaign consultant, stresses the need for a robust campaign against drugs at the educational institutions as well as student hostels. He says that boarder tend to use soft drugs more frequently. He calls for urgent training of the non-teaching staff as well as the owners of private universities, colleges and schools, to effectively manage drug-related problems.

The writer is a media veteran interested in politics, consumer rights and  entrepreneurship