IUB Sextortion Case: HEC Forms Fact-finding Committee

News Desk

Multan: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has established a fact-finding committee in order to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation into the alleged student victimization, exploitation and harassment at Islamia University Bahawalpur (IUB).

The committee is also charged with determining whether management has any involvement with the alleged drug use and immoral activity.

According to official sources, Bahauddin Zakariya University Vice Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ali has been deputed as head of the committee. National University of Technology Islamabad Rector Lt Gen Retd Moazzam Ejaz, Nur International University Lahore Vice Chancellor Dr Najma Najam, Imperial College of Business Studies Lahore Rector Prof. Tahira Aziz Mughal, HEC Advisor P&D and Finance Dr Mazhar Saeed are members of the Committee.

The fact-finding committee will submit a report within 21 working days.

Based on its findings, the committee has been tasked with conducting an investigation, evaluating the implementation of the HEC’s policy on protection against sexual harassment in higher education institutions, proposing remedial and disciplinary actions, and suggesting recommendations and preventative measures.

The incident came to light when the university’s chief security officer Major (retired) Ijaz Akram was arrested on July 21. Following this, snapshots of the first information report (FIR) revealed the discovery of numerous obscene videos and images on two phones recovered from him, believed to be of students.

Additionally, drugs were found in his possession. Subsequently, two other officials, Professor Abu Bakar and transport in-charge Muhammad Altaf, were also arrested in connection with the case.

Considering the gravity of the situation, which involves compromising images of students, the panel chairman stressed the need to involve the cybercrime wing of the Federal Investigation Agency in the investigation.

The committee members stressed the significance of holding everyone involved accountable and advised the IUB authorities to prioritize transparency and avoid sheltering powerful individuals.