Punjab CM sets up inquiry panel to probe Bahawalpur varsity scandal

Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has taken notice of the sex-and-drugs scandal in Islamia University Bahawalpur and established a three-member committee for investigation, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The inquiry committee consists of Minerals Secretary Babar Iman Babar, DIG Amin Bukhari and DIG Raja Faisal.

The committee will probe the issue from every angle and will lay the blame on the people responsible.

The committee will forward its inquiry report to the chief minister.

VC’s letter

Islamia University Bahawalpur Vice-Chancellor (VC) Dr. Athar Mehboob has said that all cases registered against the university officials in connection with sex and drugs scandal are fake. In a letter written to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar on the scandal, which has come as a shock for the nation, the VC has demanded constitution of a joint investigation team (JIT) so that truth could be sifted from falsehood.

He says that some people who are not comfortable with the university’s progress are bent upon bringing a bad name to it. 

Mehboob rubbishes the claims that illegal activities are taking place at the university premises. “Truth of the matter is that all energies of the university’s teachers and students are focused on education and research,” the VC has said, adding, “The research done at the university on agriculture and changing weather patterns is remarkable.”

VC forms inquiry committee

Meanwhile, the VC has constituted a high-level committee to probe the arrests of Chief Security Officer Ejaz Shah and director finance Abu Bakr.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Chairman Professor Dr. Saeed Ahmad will be the committee’s head.

Vice Chancellor talks to 24News

Talking to 24News TV channel, VC Dr. Athar Mehboob has said that there is a conspiracy to bring a bad name to the institution. “Bogus cases have been registered against the university’s employees,” he has said, adding, “The inquiry we have conducted shows that none of our employees has been involved in these practices. Still we present ourselves for the accountability.”

He has assured parents that they need not worry about their daughters since they were his own daughters. 

VC appoints security officer as chief security officer

The vice-chancellor has appointed Adeel Aslam, the university’s security officer, as the chief security officer.

He will replace Ijaz Shah, who is currently in police custody in connection with drugs recovery case.   

Yet another university employee held

Yet another blow to Islamia University Bahawalpur as its another employee has been arrested for possessing narcotics.

Police have arrested Transport Officer Muhammad Altaf for possessing eight grams of Crystal Ice.

Three university employees namely Director Finance Abu Bakr, Chief Security Officer Ijaz Shah and Transport Officer Muhammad Altaf have been arrested in the last one month for possessing drugs.  

Ijaz Shah makes disclosures during investigation

Meanwhile, former chief security officer Ijaz Shah has told the police that several teachers in all departments of the university are involved in drug abuse and sexual exploitation of female students.

He has said Dr. Ranjha, Dr. Abu Bakr, Dr. Saleem, Dr. Muhammad Tahir, Dr. Imran and others have been involved in sexual exploitation.

Ijaz has said that drugs are used but behind closed doors, and not out in the open.

DPO Bahawalpur gives media briefing

On the other hand, District Police Officer (DPO) Bahawalpur Syed Muhammad Abbas Shah has clarified that the police are not targeting any particular institution. “When we took action against the university employees, we were aware that there would be a backlash,” he has said, adding, “But saving the university students from the scourge of drug abuse was more necessary.

He has clarified that presently the police are not investigating sex offences. “However, if any complainant comes forward, we will probe those cases too,” the DPO has added. 

He has dispelled the impression that the police took action against the Islamia University employees because they had been asked by a politician.  

“We have irrefutable proofs of these people’s involvement in drugs scandal who are in our custody,” he has stated emphatically.

RPO forms special investigation team

On the other hand, Regional Police Officer Bahawalpur Rai Babar Saeed has constituted a special investigation team on the scandal.

SP investigation Bahawalpur will lead the team.

More arrests made in connection with scandal

On the other hand, the university’s female students have been questioned in order to find out the facts about the scandal.

Sources have told 24News that two female students have been arrested. Besides that a policeman has also been taken into custody.

Sources have revealed that some of the university’s professors and other employees have also been found involved in the scandal.

Moreover, they have disclosed, the police have also got hold of videos of the university professors blackmailing female students.

Sources have said that report on the scandal has been submitted to Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with objectionable videos and pictures.    

Reporter: Raza Malik