By Abdul Qadir Mahesar
DADU: Leaders of the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SPLA) in Dadu have called for a transparent investigation into the Johi incident, saying that if allegations are not proven, what they described as a character assassination campaign should be stopped.
At a press conference held at the Dadu Press Club, SPLA district leaders Professor Qazi Sikandar Ali, Professor Ghulam Farooq Laghari, Professor Tahir Abbas Channa, Professor Dr Latif, Professor Asif Nazeer Memon and others said that Professor Noor Asif Panhwar, who currently serves as district president of the teachers’ organisation, was being falsely accused of harassing a female student in Johi in an attempt to damage his reputation.
They said an FIR had also been registered against him three years ago, which was later declared false. The teachers’ representatives demanded that the current FIR be investigated fairly and transparently, including a review of CCTV footage in line with the dates and times mentioned in the allegations.
They said that if the allegations were proven, legal action should be taken under the law, but if not, the campaign of character assassination must be stopped. They added that CCTV footage and other evidence should be examined to establish the facts, claiming there was a conspiracy to damage the teacher and cause financial harm.
The SPLA leaders further said that if anyone was found guilty, action should be taken according to law, but if the allegations were proven false, all accusations against Professor Noor Asif Panhwar should be withdrawn.
They warned that the dignity and respect of the teaching community must be protected and said no accusations should be made without evidence. They added that if justice was not provided, the SPLA would launch protests, sit-ins and a hunger strike movement across Sindh.
