PESHAWAR: A professor at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Malakand University has been arrested for allegedly sexually harassing and intimidating a female student.
Speaking to a private media outlet, Azhar Zahoor, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Malakand district, said the suspect was arrested after a complaint was filed. “The suspect is in jail, and the investigation is still ongoing,” he added.
As per the media report, the arrest followed a complaint filed by the student, and the accused professor has been taken into custody.
Report say, the student claimed that the professor had been harassing her for several months and even attempted to kidnap her by visiting her home.
According to a media report, an FIR was filed on February 4, 2025, at Malakand’s Pull Chowki police station. A woman from the area reported that she was a student in the Urdu department at Malakand University. The case was registered at 4:40 pm, with the incident time recorded as 3:30 pm.
Media reports state that the FIR includes sections 354 (assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), 365B (kidnapping, abduction, or forcing a woman into marriage), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
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The FIR also mentions sections 452 (house trespass with intent to harm, assault, or restrain) and 511 (attempting to commit an offense punishable with life imprisonment or a lesser term) of the PPC.
In her complaint, the woman alleged that the lecturer entered her home on the day of the incident, forcibly held her hand, and tried to drag her away in front of her family.
She further stated that the suspect left after threatening her with “serious consequences” if she refused to marry him.
The FIR also quoted the complainant saying: “One of the teachers, a resident of Peshawar, has been following me for several months, trying to harass me and attempting physical assault. I reported this to the university management multiple times.”
The university administration immediately suspended the professor and referred the case to the harassment committee. According to the university’s media cell, strict action will be taken against the accused, and an impartial investigation will be ensured.
The administration emphasized its zero-tolerance policy against harassment and its commitment to providing a safe and equal educational environment for students.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, who is also the chancellor of public universities, has formed a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the incident. The committee includes Additional Secretary Administration Asif Rahim and AIG Establishment Central Police Office Sonia Shamroz.
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The committee has been directed to submit its report within 15 days. The Chief Minister has instructed the Deputy Commissioner and DPO of Lower Dir to provide administrative support to the investigative team.
A private TV channel, citing sources, reported that data from the professor’s mobile phone has also been seized. The student revealed that the professor, accompanied by his wife, had visited her home to propose marriage, which led to an argument between them. The accused professor is from Peshawar and was serving at Malakand University.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi expressed regret over the incident, stating that such events hinder women’s progress in education and society.
He asked the police, district administration, and university officials to make sure the investigation is clear and fair. The Governor stressed that the culture and values of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa do not accept such wrong acts, and those responsible will face strict action.
The university administration stated that the Anti-Harassment Committee has given the complainant an opportunity for a personal hearing.
The committee is now preparing its recommendations, which will be sent to the syndicate for disciplinary action. The university reiterated its commitment to providing a safe and fair educational environment for students and taking all possible measures to prevent such incidents.
This incident has caused worry about the quality and image of Malakand University. As a result, the authorities have quickly taken steps and started an investigation.
