By Khalid Khan
It has been observed that the majority of hospitals and educational institutions always try to hide facts when some crime, particularly of a sexual nature takes place on their premises and the motive behind is to avoid a reputational crisis.
The same factor seems to be behind the Malakand University sexual harassment case. One must remember that one of the gravest sexual scandals of a South Punjab university was hushed up just to save one Security Head and one son of a parliamentarian who was allegedly the main accused of that mega sexual abuse scandal.
Professor Abdul Haseeb of Malakand University has been arrested on charges of sexual harassment following a formal complaint by Hira Gul, a sixth-semester Urdu student. Her complaint led to the professor’s immediate detention, and under immense public pressure, the university administration formed an inquiry committee to investigate the matter. A spokesperson for the university has stated that if found guilty, the professor will be dismissed, but there has been no announcement regarding broader preventive measures to address similar incidents in the future.
A video of the professor’s arrest has surfaced, showing him being publicly disgraced. Reports indicate that he had been sending inappropriate messages and explicit videos to female students via WhatsApp. However, instead of involving the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to proceed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), authorities arrested him based solely on an FIR. Sources claim that his mobile phone contains thousands of explicit videos and images of university students, raising concerns about who currently has possession of the device.
The scandal has cast a shadow over the university administration, with allegations surfacing that officials attempted to suppress the matter. Calls are growing for the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to take strict action, not only against the accused professor but also against those who may have been complicit in covering up his alleged misconduct. In a surprising turn, university officials are now spreading rumors that the professor was arrested while attempting to marry the complainant. However, the student has categorically denied this, stating that she was being pressured via WhatsApp to engage in sexual relations with him. She further revealed that she had previously reported his inappropriate behavior to university authorities, but the issue was allegedly silenced to protect the institution’s reputation.
As the scandal gains traction on social media, all involved parties appear to be scrambling to protect themselves. More shocking revelations about Malakand University are expected to emerge in the coming days. Meanwhile, there is growing public pressure demanding that no lawyer should defend the accused professor.
This is not the first time Malakand University has come under scrutiny. The institution has reportedly been transformed into a virtual prison, where strict measures are enforced, and students face psychological distress. The case of Musa Khan, a student who died in a tragic accident, remains a haunting example of the university’s treatment of its students. Musa was expelled from the hostel at midnight for allegedly playing the rubab. Under severe mental stress, he was on his way home on a motorcycle when he met with a fatal accident. Reports suggest that the administration has turned the university into a central jail, banning student politics and imposing excessive fines while restricting recreational activities.
Musa’s ordeal began when he participated in a farewell event for senior students and played the rubab. At the university gate, the provost reportedly assaulted him, forcibly removed him, and issued a show-cause notice against him. His subsequent expulsion from the hostel weighed heavily on him, ultimately leading to his tragic accident. His death sparked protests among students, and the matter was even raised in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly. Yet, despite such incidents, the university administration’s conduct has remained unchanged.
With the latest allegations involving Professor Abdul Haseeb, calls for intervention have intensified. Many believe that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must take immediate action, as the university’s academic standards are deteriorating and students are reportedly suffering from severe psychological distress. A high-level investigation into the administration’s actions is now deemed necessary.
Under Pakistani law, soliciting explicit images from a girl via mobile or harassing her online is a criminal offense under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. Several sections of this act apply to the current case. Section 20 addresses defamation and reputation damage, carrying a penalty of up to three years in prison and a fine of one million rupees. Section 21 deals with cyber harassment, which includes the misuse of images or videos, carrying a penalty of up to five years imprisonment, and a fine of five million rupees. Section 24 specifically addresses sexual harassment, which includes sending obscene messages or soliciting explicit images, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine. If the victim is under 18, the case could fall under child pornography laws, leading to a sentence of up to seven years and a fine of five million rupees. Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Section 509 also applies, which addresses harassment against women and carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment and a fine.
The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 serves as a comprehensive framework against cybercrimes, covering defamation, cyber harassment, blackmailing, unauthorized access and hacking, cyber terrorism, child exploitation, and hate speech. Cases registered under PECA are typically investigated by the FIA’s Cyber Crime Wing and prosecuted in specialized cybercrime courts. However, in the case of Professor Abdul Haseeb, serious charges under PECA were reportedly omitted from the FIR.
The University of Malakand has formally acknowledged the professor’s arrest and has suspended him with immediate effect. According to Deputy Provost Ayub Khan, the university administration took swift action after media reports surfaced. However, conflicting narratives continue to emerge. On February 4, 2025, the accused lecturer, accompanied by his wife, reportedly visited a female student’s residence, allegedly in an attempt to marry her. A confrontation ensued, and the student’s family physically assaulted him. The student then filed a kidnapping complaint at the Malakand Levies Police Station (Pul Chowki) and formally reported the matter to the university. In response, the university suspended the professor and convened an Anti-Harassment Committee to investigate.
According to sources, key figures within the Malakand District Administration and the university are working to protect the accused professor. If he were to reveal his connections, an entire network allegedly involved in blackmailing female students could be exposed. For months, multiple complaints had been filed against the professor, but the university administration allegedly silenced them. Further complicating matters, the district’s civil authorities are believed to have played a role in suppressing the case. This is evident in the fact that crucial legal provisions under PECA were deliberately omitted from the FIR.
Sexual harassment at Malakand University is not a new issue. In 2020, a Chinese student accused a senior professor from the English Department of sexual harassment, yet little was done to address her complaint. The rising number of such incidents has raised concerns about the safety of female students in academic institutions.
The female cadre of Pakistani society is a vulnerable group that needs protection at the highest level. Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir while addressing students recently condemned extremist elements attempting to impose their distorted interpretation of Islam and emphasized that Islam upholds the dignity of women in all roles and that no faction has the right to undermine their honor. His remarks resonated with female students, many of whom continue to struggle against harassment and discrimination.
One student acknowledged his speech, urging him to implement reforms that would allow women to access education and careers without fear of harassment. She pointed out that Pakistan’s legal system often favors perpetrators rather than victims, making justice elusive for women who suffer such abuses. In her appeal to the Army Chief, she called for structural reforms to protect women’s rights and ensure their safety in academic institutions and workplaces.
The case against Professor Abdul Haseeb is now officially under investigation. An FIR has been registered at Police Station Dargai under FIR No. 185, dated February 4, 2025, at 15:30. The FIR includes sections 365- B, 511,506, 452,354, and Section 509, the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Complainant Hira Gul, daughter of Gul Badshah, has provided evidence, including screenshots of inappropriate messages and explicit threats. She maintains that her previous complaints were ignored, allowing the professor to continue his misconduct unchecked.
In response to the scandal, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the case. The committee, led by Additional Secretary Asif Rahim and AIG Sonia Shamroz, has been tasked with gathering facts and statements from all involved parties. The Deputy Commissioner and District Police Officer of Lower Dir have been instructed to provide administrative support, and the committee must submit its report within 15 days.
As the case unfolds, the revelations from Malakand University suggest a deeper, systemic issue—one that requires urgent intervention to ensure justice for the victims and a safer academic environment for students.
The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan is responsible for overseeing, regulating, and accrediting the higher education institutions in Pakistan with a budget allocation of over 60 billion rupees annually but it did not any action in all cases of sexual harassment that took place in the last two years including sexual harassment at Islamia University Bahawalnagar Campus, where a female student defied attempts by the administration to cover up the matter, leading to the arrest of a lecturer. However, the role of HEC had never been seen in the last two years to investigate such cases independently and take action against responsible universities.
