KARACHI:The Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi, has called for strict punishment for those involved in harassment, in accordance with the law of the land.
He was speaking at a seminar on “Increasing Harassment in Educational Institutions: Challenges and Solutions”, which was organized by the KU Center of Excellence for Women’s Studies.
Dr Iraqi said that the University of Karachi has a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment matters. He stressed that harassment is a serious crime that should not be tolerated in any form.
He also highlighted the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for all students, regardless of their gender or background.
He said that the rule of law is necessary to eradicate harassment cases from society and the affected person should not remain silent in any condition so that the criminal could get punishment.
Dr Khalid Iraqi inspired the teachers and students to play their roles and help their fellow students and urged that the parents should also play their due role in this regard, and advised them to give trust and make their children brave.
Resident Director of the Aurat Foundation Mahnaz Rehman emphasized the importance of making the Harassment Committee more active in universities to erase harassment cases from the higher education institutions.
Advocate Supreme Court of Pakistan Dr Rana Khan highlighted the basic human rights laws from the Constitution of Pakistan, and especially shed light on the current laws regarding women.
She offered suggestions for the solution to how students and female students in educational institutions should deal with these challenges legally.