Karachi University Student Commits Suicide Over Harassment

A tragedy that could have been avoided.

Harassment continues to plague campuses as yet another victim breathes her last. A promising Doctorate student in Karachi was driven to commit suicide due to her supervisor’s alleged harassment. Even after the passage of 15 years, this student could not get her Ph.D. degree.

A ‘Dr. Panjuani Center for Molecular Medicine and Research‘s student at Karachi University committed suicide after allegedly facing harassment at the hands of her Ph.D. supervisor.

According to news reports, Ph.D. supervisor Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry allegedly drove Nadia Ashraf, a promising student for Molecular Medicine and Research, to commit suicide and end the torment she was going through.


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Panic swept through students of Karachi University following the incident. Particularly the students of Dr. Panjwani Center. There are demands for higher state authorities to take notice of this incident.

Students are demanding that Nadia Ashraf’s tragic death be investigated. They should probe why Nadia had not been able to complete her Ph.D. in the last 15 years. Prior to her suicide, the promising student would often tell her close friends,

“Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry will not allow me to have a Ph.D. Don’t know what the doctor wants from me.”

 

A Tale of Torment

Nadia’s friends reveal how Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry would torment the molecular medicine researcher. Iqbal Chaudhry had allegedly imposed his favorite incompetent faculty member, Dr. Atiya Al-Wahab, on Nadia to make her even more miserable.

When Nadia took a job at another research organization, Iqbal Chaudhry tried to get her fired. When Nadia rejoined the Panjwani Center to submitted her dissertation with a Ph.D. extension, Iqbal forced her to take another six-month extension.


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Iqbal’s position is looking shady, to say the least, especially when he’s illegal holding the position for Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences. He has occupied the position of Karachi University for 17 years.

The tired child of a single mother, Nadia Ashraf didn’t have the strength to put up with the torment any longer. It is hoped that the authorities get to the bottom of this matter.

Karachi University’s response:

Dr. Panjwani Center sent this press release as a response to the allegations it was facing in light of Nadia’s suicide:

“There are some baseless and unfounded posts in circulation linking the unfortunate suicide of Ms. Nadia Ashraf Choudhary with her Ph. D. at the Dr. Panjwani Center under the supervision of Prof. Iqbal Choudhary.

The centre categorically condemns these false allegations.

Ms. Nadia was enrolled for her M. Phil./Ph. D. In 2007. She was also given an opportunity to get training in France along with some other students. However, she was not able to focus on her research fully because of her family issues and personal health matters. She discontinued coming to the center for a few years and start working in various private universities to support her family.
Ms. Nadia occasionally visited the center and met with her colleagues and supervisor.

She was severely depressed and frequently mentioned her serious family issues including the unexplained disappearance of her father a long time ago. She was also concerned about her health and the health of her mother.

Her supervisor and the institution extended maximum support to her on all occasions. Her application for extension of registration was also favorably recommended to facilitate the completion of her Ph. D. She was always appreciative of the support she received from Prof. Choudhary and respected him like her father.

Prof. Choudhary has supervised over 100 Ph. D.s and is ranked as among the top scientists of the country.

PCMD management expresses deep sorrow on her demise. Unfortunately, if it was a suicide, then it must have been because of her personal issues on which the institution has no control.

May Allah SWT rest her soul in peace.”

Comments

  1. Dr Panjwani center rejects false news about Nadia Ashraf’s suicide

    Karachi – Spokesman of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi has said that there are some baseless and unfounded posts in circulation linking the unfortunate suicide of Ms. Nadia Ashraf Choudhary with her Ph. D. at the Dr. Panjwani Center under the supervision of Prof. Iqbal Choudhary.
    The center categorically condemns these false allegations.
    He said that Ms. Nadia was enrolled for her M. Phil./Ph.D. in 2007 under supervision of Dr. Ameen Suria. When Dr. Suria left the center she went under the supervision of Dr. Iqbal Choudhary. She was also given an opportunity to get training in France along with some other students. However she was not able to focus on her research fully because of her family issues and personal health matters. She discontinued coming to the center for a few years and start working in various private universities to support her family.
    Ms. Nadia occasionally visited the center and met with her colleagues and supervisor. She was severely depressed and frequently mentioned her serious family issues including the unexplained disappearance of her father a long time ago. She was also concerned about her health and the health of her mother.
    Her supervisor and the institution extended maximum support to her on all occasions. Her application for extension of registration was also favorably recommended to facilitate completion of her Ph. D. She was always appreciative of the support she received from Prof. Choudhary and respected him like her father. Prof. Choudhary has supervised over 100 Ph. D.s and is ranked as among the top scientists of the country.
    PCMD management expresses deep sorrow on her demise. Unfortunately if it was a suicide, then it must have been because of her personal issues on which the institution has no control.
    May Allah swt rest her soul in peace.

  2. Have deep sorrow for Ms Nadia, I am one of the former student of ICCBS and Prof. Dr. Iqbal was my co supervisor. He is one of the best teacher in institute, most of the students want his supervision for there PhD.
    We really respect him like a father.

  3. Dr. Iqbal chaudry is a wolf who had illicit relationships with many women. Dr. Atiya tul WAHAB is his famous and favorite mistress. He had previously been involved in dragging a female student of PCMD by the name of Waseem to commit suicide. Please ask her parents too while investigating this matter and you will come to know his case.

  4. In universities all over pakistan there are countless sex perverts in the name of so called liberal educationists.Thousands of srudents fall a victim to their vengeful attitude in case of continuous denial for having illicit relationship by those students.Such professors must be brought to book otgerwise many Naudias would keep commiting suicide in coming years.

  5. I feel sorry for the sad demise of Ms. Nadia Ashraf . May Allah Subhan-o-Tallah rest her soul in peace (Ameen). Linking her death with her Ph.D. studies and Ph. D. supervisor is wrong as respected teacher Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary always make sure to assist his students in every possible way not only in research studies but also in personal and professional matters. Ms. Nadia was no doubt a bright student of ICCBS but unfortunately from last many years she was suffering from major depression because of disappearance of her father and later family issues on the property of his father. Ms. Nadia always talked about these issues to many people in ICCBS. Prof. Iqbal being a kind hearted person always helped her to come out of these issues. Ms. Nadia always appreciated the support she received from ICCBS community and she respected Dr. Iqbal like her father. Being well aware of her mental health, Dr. Iqbal tried his best to assist her to complete her Ph. D. thesis. But unfortunately she could not focused and this resulted in delay of her Ph.D.
    Dr. Iqbal made the ICCBS very safe for female students, which is reflected by large number of females getting education from this world class institute. We strongly condemn the allegations on respected Dr. Iqbal.
    Please don’t spread the false information without authentication.
    Please read the following too
    https://www.independenturdu.com/node/44661
    and
    https://www.express.pk/story/2070768/464/?fbclid=IwAR0yydwj_WSH1WTNhDG0rIltBPYUSlk-ZbgV7bc2Re1Tonn103SjorTJQ3s.

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