Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan announced the formation of a fact-finding committee on Monday to investigate allegations of drug supply and use in both private and public educational institutions.
While establishing the parliamentary panel, the speaker expressed concern over complaints regarding the harassment of female students in educational settings. During a recent assembly session focused on law and order, he mentioned that the vice-chancellor of Lahore College for Women University had informed him about the necessity to withdraw male staff due to allegations of sexual harassment against female students.
He also referred to a recent rape incident at a private college, quoting the DIG (Operations) who stated that neither the victim nor her parents had come forward to file a report. The speaker voiced his suspicion that evidence, including CCTV footage, might be destroyed.
In response to concerns raised by Treasury MPA Amjad Ali Javed about drug supply in educational institutions, the speaker ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee. He directed Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Mujtaba Shuja to provide the committee with all relevant police reports.
Uzma Kardar, another member of the Treasury, challenged the vice-chancellor’s claims, asserting that as a member of the institution’s Senate, she was well-acquainted with its internal matters. She accused the vice-chancellor of using the situation for personal gain.
Additionally, the speaker addressed a police raid on the residence of opposition MPA Rana Aftab Ahmed, with Minister Mujtaba Shuja assuring the assembly that no MPA would be arrested in the future without the speaker’s prior approval.
