Report by CBN247 :
Islamia College Peshawar has issued a sweeping directive prohibiting any romantic or personal relationships between faculty, staff, and students in a bid to uphold a harassment-free, professional learning environment. The order, signed by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-ul-Haq, aligns with the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 (Amended 2012), the Higher Education Commission’s “Policy on Protection against Sexual Harassment 2020,” and directives issued by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on October 23, 2024.
Key Provisions of the New Policy:
Prohibited Relations: Any romantic, personal, or intimate relationship between teaching or administrative staff and students is strictly forbidden.
Broad Scope: The ban applies not only to the main campus but also to all affiliated institutes, online classes, and college-sponsored external activities or programs.
Disciplinary Measures: Violators may face suspension, dismissal, fines, withholding of promotions or degrees, and other administrative penalties.
Complaint Mechanism: A confidential “Harassment Complaint Cell” has been established on the college website, allowing students and staff to report any incidents securely and anonymously.
In the notification, Professor Dr. Zia-ul-Haq emphasized that unchecked personal relationships in an academic setting can compromise impartiality, damage institutional reputation, and create environments ripe for harassment. “Our goal is to foster a respectful, dignified, and positive educational atmosphere in which every member—faculty, staff, or student—can thrive without fear of harassment or bias,” the Vice-Chancellor stated.
Islamia College’s administration has directed all departments and offices to implement the new code of conduct immediately and launch awareness campaigns at every level to ensure full compliance.
