Karachi: Growing incidents of suicide among female students in educational institutions have emerged as a matter of grave concern, speakers warned during a seminar held at Pakistan Medical Association House in Karachi.
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Addressing the event, Syed Muhammad Tariq Rafi, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Sindh, stressed the urgent need to tackle harassment and mental health challenges faced by students. He urged students to report any form of harassment or grievances to relevant authorities to prevent tragic outcomes.
He also highlighted the role of parents, emphasizing that staying informed about their children’s emotional well-being is critical in preventing such incidents. He proposed organizing structured forums where students and teachers can openly discuss sensitive issues without fear.
Prof. Dr. Tipu Sultan, Chairman of the PMA Human Rights Committee, pointed to a lack of accountability in medical colleges as a contributing factor. He noted that aspiring medical students face immense academic pressure, high tuition fees, and the burden of studying multiple subjects within a limited timeframe, often without adequate institutional support.
Dr. Qaiser Sajjad emphasized that weak enforcement of laws and lack of accountability for offenders have exacerbated the problem. He called for systems that ensure both students and faculty members are heard, while also underscoring the importance of values instilled at home.
Legal expert Shaukat Hayat criticized institutional negligence and said that failure to implement laws erodes public trust. He urged authorities to ensure strict compliance and accountability within educational and healthcare institutions.
Highlighting a recent case, Qazi Khizar Hayat referred to a female student from Mirpurkhas Medical College who reportedly took her own life after her harassment complaint went unaddressed. According to him, the student had raised concerns days earlier but received no timely response.
Speakers collectively called for immediate reforms, improved grievance redressal mechanisms, and greater institutional responsibility to safeguard students’ mental health and well-being.
