The Fahmeeda Laghari harassment case has moved into a new phase after police arrested two suspects, including a lecturer, in connection with the death of a third-year medical student in Mirpurkhas. Police have also named five people in the case, while raids continue to arrest the remaining suspects.
The case has drawn wider attention because it involves allegations of prolonged harassment inside a private medical institution and claims that earlier complaints were ignored. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, or PM&DC, has also responded publicly, calling for a transparent inquiry.
SSP Mirpurkhas Fida Hussain said police arrested two suspects, including a lecturer at the medical university. He added that one of the key suspects, Abid Laghari, had been remanded for four days, while efforts were underway to apprehend the remaining accused.
The FIR names the principal of the private Ibn-e-Sina medical university, his wife, a lecturer and two students. Police said complaints about alleged harassment had reportedly been made to the college administration earlier, but no action followed.
Family allegations put focus on institutional response
The FIR, filed by the victim’s uncle, says Fahmeeda had repeatedly told family members that she was facing blackmail and harassment. The complaint also alleges that the suspects pressured her over personal and academic matters and threatened consequences if she did not withdraw her complaints.
The family approached the principal and his wife, but the accused allegedly received support rather than facing action. These claims now form a central part of the ongoing investigation.
PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj described the incident as deeply alarming and said the council had asked for a complete record of the case, including inquiry findings and remedial steps taken by the institution and the government.
PM&DC’s public materials show that the council has directed medical and dental colleges to establish anti-harassment committees and stated that institutions that fail to provide a safe academic environment may face regulatory consequences.
Dr. Taj also said students can directly approach the PM&DC Harassment Committee if their concerns are not addressed at the institutional level. Once the full report is received, the matter may move to the council’s disciplinary committee for further action.
The case has intensified concern over how medical institutions handle harassment complaints and student welfare. It also places renewed scrutiny on whether anti-harassment mechanisms exist only on paper or work in practice.
As the investigation continues, the arrests and the PM&DC response have turned the case into a broader test of accountability in Pakistan’s medical education system.
