KARACHI: The Karachi University (KU) Professor Sahar Ansari still awaits his suspension from the university even after the passage of three weeks since he found guilty by an enquiry committee of sexual harassment at the campus.
The inquiry committee was headed by Centre of Excellence Women’s Studies Chairperson Professor Nasreen Aslam, and advised the vice-chancellor to ban Professor Dr Sahar Ansari’s activities inside university premises. It also recommended barring him from giving lectures and participating in seminars or conferences.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Professor Nasreen confirmed that Ansari had been found guilty before the committee and the recommendations for subsequent actions to be taken against him had been forwarded on January 9.
Dr Nasreen further informed that at least six witnesses spoke against Professor Sahar, and on the other hand the latter was unable to produce even a single witness in his favour.
Earlier in March 2016, an enquiry was ordered after KU’s Pakistan Study Centre at Assistant Professor, Dr Navin G Haider to the VC against Dr Sahar alleging him of misconduct. A committee was formed by the VC to probe the matter which acquitted Dr Ansari.
However, Dr Navin, being unsatisfied with the decision, then filed a complaint in the office of the Sindh Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman rejected the committee report and directed the VC to re-investigate the matter under the new law of Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010.
A three-member committee comprising Professor Nasreen Aslam Shah, Deputy Registrar Ashraf Ali and Teachers Society President Professor Jamil was formed to re-investigate the case.