Tag: Lahore Grammar School

  • Omair Rana rejects allegations of harassment, will take matter to FIA

    Omair Rana rejects allegations of harassment, will take matter to FIA

    Omair Rana, who was accused of sexual harassment by some students of Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch, has rejected all such allegations and has said that he will be filing a complaint with the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) against those who have wrongfully accused him. Female students of LGS 1A1 had alleged that Rana would pass inappropriate jokes and comments and make them feel uncomfortable. They also said that he flirted with young girls and exchanged inappropriate texts.

    The actor, in a Twitter update added that “sexual harassment is a heinous crime and should be treated with the seriousness that it deserves”.

    On June 28, dozens of girls came forward with accounts of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by teachers at LGS 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch. The management of the school, including female teachers, also came under fire for brushing the matter under the carpet for years. Among those teachers accused of covering up was Omair’s wife Maira Omair Rana, who was later suspended for abetting in the acts. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, they took no action and resorted to victim-blaming. Strict action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media and the matter became public.

    According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich. All three teachers were fired soon after the allegations surfaced.

    Following the uproar on social media, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari had said that she has taken serious notice of the allegations. The Punjab government had also said that they will hand exemplary punishments to the perpetrators and make an example of them.

    Meanwhile, Chairman Senate Committee on Human Rights and PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the HR Committee has taken notice of the matter and will be discussing it on July 22. Sharing details, he said that concerned parents will be allowed to join the meeting.

  • Punjab Govt vows to make an example of perpetrators in school harassment case

    The Punjab government has said that they will hand exemplary punishments to the perpetrators of the Lahore private school harassment incident and make an example of them.

    According to Geo News, Punjab Government Spokesperson Musarrat Cheema said that the government, including Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar and Education Minister Dr Murad Raas, has taken action against the harassment case reported in the private school. She said that an inquiry committee has also been formed to investigate the incident. On Wednesday, CM Buzdar had taken notice of the matter and had directed CCPO Lahore to carry out an impartial inquiry into the incident and had said that harassment of students will not be tolerated at any cost.

    Cheema asserted that the government will use this incident to send a stern message across the board.

    “These culprits will not only have to let go of their jobs but they will also be punished according to the circumstances,” assured Cheema.

    The spokesperson also encouraged victims and their parents to come forward and share their experiences, adding that action can only be taken if the government is aware of any such incident. She also advised parents to educate their children on the matter and encourage them to speak up.

    “If their kids go through such an incident, they should inform the administration and also tell the government so that we can remove those evil humans, who are in the form of teachers,” said the spokesperson.

    Punjab Education Minister Dr Murad Raas says that he will personally be dealing with the case.

    Later, in a press conference, the minister announced that the provincial government would bring a new act for private institutions.

    Lauding the students for their courage, Dr Raas said that the students who reported sexual harassment had gone through considerable mental anguish. He shared that more than 20 students spoke to him and broke down while narrating their ordeals.

    “A written complaint of the incidents is required, without which action cannot be taken,” he said. “We are going to bring a new act for private schools [and] we are adding legislation on harassment to our laws.”

    The Punjab minister said the government could only help people when written requests were submitted.

    Meanwhile, Chairperson Child Protection & Welfare Bureau Punjab Sarah Ahmad shared that the school did not respond when officers from the bureau went to the school.

    Earlier, Federal Minister for Human Right Dr Shireen Mazari also took notice of the allegations and said that the regional offices have been alerted on the matter.

    Principal, administrator and coordinator suspended

    Director of the institute Nighat Ali said that all five employees who were accused of harassing female students were fired from their jobs, while the principal, administrator and coordinator, who were accused of covering up the incidents, have also been suspended.

    She added that an inquiry committee has been constituted to probe further into the matter.

    “The school has full authority to take legal action against the culprits and if the charges against the dismissed employees are proven, an action will be taken against them,” Ali said.

    The allegations

    On June 28, dozens of girls came forward with accounts of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by teachers at Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch. The management of the school, including female teachers, also came under fire for brushing the matter under the carpet for years. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, they took no action and resorted to victim-blaming. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media and the matter became public.

    According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich. All three teachers were fired hours after the allegations surfaced.

  • Meesha Shafi extends support to victims of harassment at Lahore school

    Meesha Shafi extends support to victims of harassment at Lahore school

    Meesha Shafi, who is one of the pioneers of the #MeToo movement in Pakistan, has extended her support to women and girls who have broken their silence over being sexually harassed by their male teachers at a private school in Lahore.

    In a tweet, the singer said that she feels “like the pain and trauma I have suffered is worth so much.”

    “Your bravery is my reward. I am with you all,” said Shafi, who had accused Ali Zafar of sexual harassment in April 2018, propelling the #MeToo movement in Pakistan.

    When a follower suggested that victims should opt for the legal route, Meesha responded with sarcasm.

    On Sunday, dozens of girls came forward with accounts of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by teachers at Lahore Grammar School (LGS) 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch. The management of the school, including female teachers, also came under fire for brushing the matter under the carpet for years. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, they took no action and resorted to victim-blaming. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media and the matter became public.

    According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich. All three teachers were fired soon after the allegations surfaced.

    Following the uproar on social media, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said that she has taken serious notice of the allegations and has alerted regional offices of the ministry. Education Minister of Punjab Dr Murad Raas also said that he will personally deal with the case.

  • Shireen Mazari takes notice of harassment at Lahore’s private educational institutions

    Shireen Mazari takes notice of harassment at Lahore’s private educational institutions

    Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari has taken notice of allegations of harassment and inappropriate behaviour by instructors at two of Lahore’s premier private institutions. While the minister did not name the institutions, it is being speculated that she is referring to Lahore Grammar School 1A1 Branch (Ghalib Market) and the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

    In a Twitter update, Mazari said that she has taken notice of the matter and that the regional offices have been alerted on the matter.

    The Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) also announced that they have taken notice of matter and said that assistance is available on their helpline 1099.

    Earlier in the day, The Current reported that the management of LGS 1A1 Ghalib Market Branch, including female teachers, had come under fire for covering up harassment and inappropriate behaviour by instructors for years. It is pertinent to mention here that most of the girls studying at the school were minors at the time.

    Read more – Private school in Lahore comes under fire for covering up harassment

    Such incidents had reportedly been going on for the past four or five years and the victims had been reporting the matter to the admin and their teachers. However, their teachers had been covering up for their colleagues and brushing the matter under the carpet. They resorted to victim-blaming and refused to take any action. Strict and immediate action was only taken after the girls shared their ordeal on social media.

    According to details, students have come forward and shared their experiences of being harassed by three teachers namely Aitezaz Rehman Sheikh, Umer Shareef and Zahid Iqbal Warraich.

    Similarly, students and alumni of LUMS shared their experiences of being harassed by instructors and fellow students on a private group. Some of the students have also decided to pursue the matter and their perpetrators through legal channels.