Recent reports of harassment in girls’ schools and colleges have raised serious concerns in Lahore. Chief Justice Aalia Neelum of the Lahore High Court (LHC) stated in strict words. She says, “No male staff can be present where females are.” This statement shows the court’s commitment to ensuring a safe educational environment for female students.
During a recent hearing, LHC Justice Neelum criticized the Punjab Police for their handling of harassment cases and their failure to stop a viral video linked to one incident. She emphasized, “Anything can be done if there is the will to do it,”. She is calling for better action from law enforcement.
Dr. Usman Anwar, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), admitted that the police did not properly address a recent suicide case at Punjab University. He acknowledged their failure to file the required report. The court rejected a report from Lahore College for Women University (LCWU), noting that the registrar had only prepared it after receiving a notice.
Justice Neelum Instructs DG of FIA for Further Investigations
To investigate the incidents further, Justice Neelum instructed the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to examine all social media accounts related to the cases at Punjab Group of Colleges, LCWU, and the Punjab University suicide case. She stressed the importance of recording statements from students in front of their parents and university officials to prevent any pressure or coercion.
In response to multiple requests for a thorough investigation into harassment incidents in Lahore’s educational institutions, Chief Justice Neelum formed a larger bench to tackle these issues. The bench will also investigate individuals who shared a fake video targeting Provincial Information Minister Azma Bukhari.
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Justice Neelum also expressed frustration over the rapid spread of the viral video, stating that the police could have stopped it quickly. The IGP explained that although they contacted the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) about the video, they lacked the authority to halt it. The court will continue to address these critical issues to protect students and ensure their safety in educational settings.