In Mirpurkhas district, a pharmacy lecturer at a private medical college, who also worked as a government primary school teacher, has been taken into custody in connection with the harassment and subsequent death of a female medical student. Fehmida Leghari, a third-year medical student, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at her home in Satellite Town three days prior. Her body was discovered with a bullet injury, prompting a post-mortem examination and seizure of her mobile phone for further investigation.
The initial autopsy revealed that the bullet entered the left side of her chest, pierced her heart, and exited the body, with death occurring approximately an hour after the injury. The victim’s sister informed authorities that Fehmida had reported harassment by certain professors and fellow students at the college. Subsequently, an FIR was registered based on a complaint from the deceased’s uncle, naming the college principal, his wife (also a professor), the pharmacy lecturer, and two students. They face charges of sexual harassment and abetment to suicide.
Authorities disclosed that the principal and his wife secured a 13-day pre-arrest bail, while the two students remain at large. The incident ignited protests, with the victim’s family and local residents staging a sit-in at a toll plaza, demanding the arrest of all accused individuals. The demonstration caused significant traffic congestion and lasted over 12 hours, with participants refusing to disperse despite police appeals. Civil society members and representatives from Sindhiyani Tehreek joined the protest, pledging to continue until all suspects were detained. The family eventually ended their two-day sit-in following the arrest of one suspect.
The arrested lecturer, Abid Leghari, was confirmed by the education department to have been simultaneously employed as a primary school teacher in Tando Allah Yar district and as a pharmacy lecturer at the medical college for an extended period. He was presented before a judicial magistrate in Mirpurkhas, who ordered his remand in police custody for four days.
In response to the arrest, Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah suspended the teacher and issued a show-cause notice, emphasizing that individuals with a criminal mindset would not be tolerated within the education sector. Earlier, a three-member inquiry committee was established under the supervision of the SSP, with a report requested within 10 days following directives from DIG Faisal Abdullah.
Separately, Provincial Minister for Women’s Development Shaheena Sher Ali announced the formation of another inquiry committee, instructing officials to keep police updated and assuring a comprehensive investigation into all facets of the case. SSP Syed Fida Hussain noted that the reasons behind the suicide were being thoroughly examined, including information gathered through confidential sources, with the final post-mortem report expected in the coming days.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has also taken cognizance of the matter, requesting records from the college and an inquiry report from the Sindh government. The council reiterated its strict zero-tolerance stance on harassment, warning of severe consequences for individuals and institutions found culpable. It further highlighted that anti-harassment committees are mandatory in all medical and dental colleges, providing students with direct channels to lodge complaints.
