Universities in Pakistan have a real fight on their hands whenever it comes to tackling cases of pervasive sexism, misconduct and sexual harassment. Legally, procedures to tackle harassment are ineffectively implemented on campuses. As a case came up on the surface recently, a scandal regarding harassment and blackmailing the students of University of Balochistan involving administration and regulatory authorities.

It was revealed on different platforms that such installations of illegal cameras and blackmailing of students is been going on since a long period of time. The accused had secretly installed micro-cameras in various hidden spots of the university and footage was being used to blackmail girls and boys but mostly females were targeted. However the investigation has been expanded to around 200 employees of the university due to a hype created in social media and protest inside the campus. As after the break of this shocking incident, the people of different sphere of life have expressed their concerns and are willing to know the real culprits.

On the other hand, students have been protesting against the University administration and demanding their removal in order to start a fair investigation. 10 Members High Level Committee comprised of Members of Balochistan Assembly was also constituted to investigate harassment, blackmailing and unethical Practices at University of Balochistan.

The circular which was issued earlier in July 2019, had directed all the institutions of the province to constitute Anti-Harassment special Committee in their campuses, from the office of Provincial Ombudsperson for Anti-Harassment Balochistan.

According to the Anti-Harassment Act – 2016, Special Anti-Harassment Committees must have to be constituted in every institution.  And it should be mentioned, no University other than University of Khuzdar bothered to follow the directions and no special committee has formed in any institution of the province.

The Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal has taken notice of this issue and directed the IG Police to assist the FIA Cybercrime team working with them. It had been somehow proved that female students had been blackmailed.

The teacher staff is of the opinion that this has been going on since long but due to the influential people behind this nobody could have done anything. Morally, the Vice Chancellor should step down from the office soon after the exposure of this incident. Whereas in contrary he is seen defensive over this matter. He is sitting in a position where things cannot be hidden at all and now it is his responsibility to take this matter seriously.

We have observed several harassment incidents around the country but, this is the first time happening in any educational institution of Balochistan.  We may claim that due to tribal society people of Balochistan provide a different status to women and consider it their ethical responsibility to give them honor but now these lenses seem blur and vague. The girls hardly ever get permission from their parents to leave home and get education but such incidents kill the left hope inside them.

Instead of addressing the complaints fairly, in such cases many educational institutions are more concerned about protecting their own reputation in public. Though it is impossible to estimate the extent of the problem — public records are few and victims show reluctance to register complaints because it risks their academic career. Often perpetrators leave an institution to get a job with another while the victim is left unsupported and damaged.

The Vice chancellor should step down from the office if not, then Governor of Balochistan who has the charge of Chancellor should remove him and hold a fair investigation of this matter.