KP CM Enforces Anti-Harassment Laws in Universities to Protect Female Students

In a significant step to promote a secure and inclusive learning environment for female students, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has ordered the immediate implementation of anti-harassment laws across all public sector universities in the province.

The directive, issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and communicated formally to the Higher Education Department, aims to eliminate harassment from educational institutions by enforcing existing legal frameworks and strengthening institutional response mechanisms.

Harassment in KP Universities

Although Pakistan has established legal frameworks, such as:

• Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act

• HEC's Harassment Policy Guidelines

• University-specific Codes of Conduct

many public sector universities in KP have reportedly failed to fully implement these measures.

Recent Concerns

• Multiple harassment cases reported in KP universities

• Incidents gained widespread media attention

• Allegations of institutional inaction and poor complaint response mechanisms

These developments triggered concern at the highest provincial level, prompting CM Gandapur’s direct intervention.

Chief Minister’s Response and Policy Stance

Chief Minister Gandapur expressed grave concern over recent harassment incidents, calling them violations of both legal obligations and moral values.

Key Statements by the CM:

"There is zero tolerance for harassment in educational institutions. We must ensure that our daughters feel safe and supported while pursuing their education."

The Chief Minister’s stance reflects the KP government’s zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of harassment in educational settings.

Directive to the Higher Education Department

The Higher Education Department (HED) has been given clear and time-bound instructions to ensure:

• Full Implementation of Anti-Harassment Laws

• Accountability in Public Universities

• Awareness Among Female Students & Staff

Mandatory Measures for All Public Sector Universities

Within the directive, the Chief Minister has outlined specific steps universities must take to ensure compliance and create harassment-free campuses:

1. Establish Harassment Inquiry Committees

• Must be in line with national anti-harassment laws

• Inclusion of at least one female member is mandatory

2. Appointment of Focal Persons

• Each university must appoint a designated harassment focal person

• Contact details should be made publicly available on official university websites

3. Effective Reporting Systems

• Universities are required to:

  • Set up confidential and accessible complaint portals

  • Follow Higher Education Commission (HEC) protocols

  • Ensure timely investigation and redressal

4. Awareness Campaigns

• Universities must conduct regular seminars, workshops, and awareness sessions

• Female students and staff should be educated about:

  • Their legal rights

  • How to report harassment

  • Support systems available to them

10-Day Deadline for Compliance

The directive has set a strict 10-day deadline for universities to implement all instructions and submit compliance reports to the Higher Education Department.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Expected Outcomes

If fully implemented, this initiative is expected to:

• Restore trust among female students

• Improve reporting mechanisms for harassment cases

• Enhance accountability within academic institutions

• Create a safe, inclusive, and respectful educational environment

Public Reaction & Civil Society Support

The directive has received praise from:

• Women’s rights organizations

• Parent associations

• Student groups

Key Reactions:

• “This is a long-overdue step. Our daughters deserve safe campuses.” — Parent Union KP

• “Implementation will be key. We urge HED to monitor compliance strictly.” — Women’s Action Forum

The KP government's proactive stance under CM Ali Amin Gandapur is a commendable effort to combat the systemic issue of harassment in educational institutions. With a 10-day implementation deadline, the coming weeks will reveal whether universities can meet this challenge and set a national example for others to follow.

Ensuring student safety isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility. One that the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is now taking seriously.