Lahore, The Punjab University Syndicate on Thursday dismissed Dr Iftikhar Husain Baloch, former principal, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences (CEES), from service after the four-member inquiry committee found him guilty of sexual harassment.

Shabina Gul, a PhD student and a part-time teacher at CEES, and administrator Shafaq Ijaz had complained that Prof Baloch had harassed them sexually. Later, the university administration had also recovered different objectionable items from his principal office’s retiring room.

Thereafter, PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran constituted a four-member inquiry committee headed by Faculty of Islamic Studies Dean Dr Hafiz Mahmood Akhtar that investigated the allegation and found Prof Baloch guilty. The inquiry committee that comprised Hailey College of Commerce principal Dr Liaquat Ali, College of Art and Design Principal Dr Rahat Naveed Masud and additional registrar Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir had recommended that Prof Baloch be dismissed from service under the PEEDA Act.

It is learnt that the inquiry conducted by top officials had also found Prof Baloch guilty of sexually harassing the two women. On the recommendation of the inquiry committee, the vice-chancellor got approval of the Syndicate by getting signatures of its members through circulation. The PU registrar notified Prof Baloch’s dismissal from service.