By Imtiaz Hussain
MIRPURKHAS: An awareness session on workplace harassment was organised by the joint Anti-Harassment Committee of Ibn-e-Sina University Mirpurkhas and Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) for students and faculty members.
The session was conducted by a two-member committee, which delivered detailed lectures and held an interactive discussion on the issue.
Dr Shazia, Director Medical Education and Professor of Paediatrics, said the Workplace Harassment Act had been enforced in 2010. She explained that the Higher Education Commission had issued comprehensive guidelines defining harassment, its types and standard operating procedures, which were being implemented in all HEC-regulated institutions across Pakistan. She also discussed how the policy was being enforced at LUMHS and how it could be further strengthened at Ibn-e-Sina University Mirpurkhas.
Dr Sana Mirza, Professor of Oral Pathology at LUMHS and member of the Anti-Harassment Committee, highlighted the concept of consent in her address. She said all faculty members must understand the principle that refusal must be fully respected and that consent could be withdrawn at any stage, even if it had initially been given, due to a change in circumstances or opinion.
She stressed that consent could be revoked at any time and emphasised the importance of respecting personal boundaries.
Both speakers underlined that harassment complaints must be submitted in writing. They warned that verbal complaints, if proven false, could expose the complainant to defamation proceedings. They advised that complaints should be submitted through written applications, emails, or with proper receipts to maintain a record.
At the end of the session, both guests responded to questions from participants.
The Chancellor of Ibn-e-Sina University, Prof Dr Syed Razi Muhammad, thanked the visiting faculty and referred to a recent incident, saying that Dr Fahmida Leghari would always remain one of the most respected students of the institution, and prayers continued for her and her family.
He said the fight against harassment was a collective responsibility requiring cooperation between educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, courts, regulatory bodies, the press and the government.
He added that anti-harassment efforts had both a legal and institutional aspect, including SOPs, PMDC directions, committee formations, HEC policy and the 2010 Act, as well as a moral and social dimension aimed at bringing lasting change in behaviour.
He said only through such efforts would students feel safe in educational institutions and public spaces, and thanked the Vice Chancellor of LUMHS and committee members for their participation.
