A viral video has shown a woman confronting Mehboob Ahmed, an assistant professor at the Government College University (GCU) Lahore, for allegedly blackmailing and extorting her daughter with explicit photographs.
The video showed her alleging that Ahmed took intimate or explicit photographs of her daughter, saying, “Tu ne meri beti ki nangi tasweerein li hain [You have taken nude pictures of my daughter].”
It also showed the woman alleging that Ahmed had taken from her daughter a car through harassment and coercion, going on to thrash him and asking for the “keys of her car” back.
The video, released by a students rights group, further showed author and former GCU Lahore chairperson of Department of History and the dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Prof Dr Tahir Kamran, who is currently employed at the Beaconhouse National University (BNU), shoving the woman in an apparent attempt to defend Ahmed.
The varsity’s Institute of History Director Prof Dr Hussain Ahmad Khan and Department of History of Art In-charge Shifa Tahir can also be seen in the video.
While Ahmed, among others, are yet to comment on the confrontation seen in the undated video, this is not the first time he has faced public allegations.
In March 2024, a video emerged of a former student confronting and assaulting him in front of university staff and students for allegedly harassing her.
Many students shortly after took to social media, complained about Ahmed’s behaviour and demanded an investigation.
While the then GCU vice chancellor had suspended Ahmed until the inquiry into the harassment allegations concluded, officials privy to the initial probe, on the condition of anonymity, told The Current that the case ran cold as the complainant did not follow through due to alleged delaying tactics and the transfer of the inquiry “from one committee to another”.
Asked about Ahmed’s return to varsity faculty, they said his suspension came to an end amid the complainant’s absence, but he was shifted to GCU Lahore’s new Kala Shah Kaku campus due to students’ concerns.
They also alleged that the staffers seen accompanying Ahmed in the new video were known to support him.
In an official statement shared with The Current, the varsity registrar said that the GCU Lahore administration had taken serious notice of the video circulating on social media regarding the off-campus incident and allegations against Ahmed.
“Taking immediate cognisance of the matter, the vice chancellor has constituted a probe committee to examine the facts and circumstances of the matter. To ensure complete impartiality and transparency, the committee includes external members. The committee has been directed to conduct a thorough, fair and independent probe and to submit its report within seven days,” the statement read.
It said that the vice chancellor reaffirmed that the institute maintains a zero-tolerance policy on harassment in any form, adding that the safety, dignity and well-being of students, faculty and staff remained the varsity’s highest priority.
Any person found responsible for misconduct will face strict action in accordance with the law and the institution’s rules, the statement added.
”The administration assures all stakeholders that the probe will follow due process and the principles of natural justice. Appropriate action will be taken on the committee’s findings.”
The institution remains committed to upholding its long tradition of academic integrity, ethical conduct and a safe, respectful environment for all concerned, it concluded.
When asked for a comment on claims regarding the previous investigation and Ahmed’s reinstatement, the registrar maintained that all facts will come to light in the external inquiry report that the vice chancellor has sought within seven days.
