LAHORE: The Punjab University (PU) administration is trying to cover up the recovery of ‘private’ material recovered from the office drawer of (former) Principal College of Earth and Environmental Sciences Professor Dr Iftikhar Baloch, already facing an inquiry over charges of harassing two female colleagues, Pakistan Today has learnt.
A varsity official privy to the ongoing investigation against Dr Iftikhar Baloch revealed to Pakistan Today that two dildos, condoms, nude magazines and photographs, pornographic CDs, aphrodisiacs and a foreign currency note were recovered from Dr Baloch’s office drawer. The official confirmed that the currency note had been returned to Dr Baloch but the solid and soft material was found objectionable and was now in the custody of a senior varsity official. The official claimed the investigation committee had hoped to recover more sensitive material from Dr Baloch’s computer but they had been surprised to find that he had removed his harddisk. A document containing a record of the material recovered has been signed by both varsity teachers and seven varsity officials to record proof of the recovery.
PU Registrar Dr Muhammad Akhtar confirmed the recovery of the private objects from from Iftikhar’s varsity room. He said the inquiry committee shall announce its decision on the matter soon.
Unpresentable to females: Reliable sources claimed the administration had contemplated presenting the discovery of the objectionable objects in Iftikhar’s room before the meeting of the syndicate last week – but had refrained from doing so because of the presence of female members. They claimed stakeholders are awaiting the decision of the inquiry committee and are confident in the PU VC Professor Dr Mujahid Kamran team to issue a decision on the grounds of the evidence present. They expressed faith in the VC’s concern for the harassment of females at PU and his concern for the institutions repute.
Changing opinions: PU sources have revealed that after the recovery of the private objects from Iftikhar Baloch’s office, faculty favouring him were now condemning him and wanted the inquiry committee to recommend stern action against him since the varsity’s repute was on the line. The sources said the inquiry committee had enough evident and material to take action against Dr Baloch but was hesitant to reveal the material before the varsities bodies.
‘Shy’ officials: A senior PU official said he was shy and could not explain the nature and use of the material found in Baloch’s office. He said the presence of the material is objectionable in a faculty room and their discovery should make it a criminal offence in an educational institution where females also study.
He confirmed the materials were recovered when a PU team searched the room of Dr Baloch after the registration of the harassment FIR against him. He said the sensitivity of the materials was why they were both duly noted, put in a bag and the signature of senior varsity officials was obtained. “Seven officials were signatories to the material’s recovery including Registrar Dr Muhammad Akhtar, Pro VC Dr Jamil Anwer, Additional Registrar Dr Aurunzaib Alamghir, Dr Nawaz, PU Chief Security Officer Col
