PESHAWAR: Controversial performances during a reception party at a constituent institute of the University of Peshawar have triggered widespread outrage, prompting the university administration to constitute a fact-finding committee to ascertain the circumstances and fix responsibility.
The event was organized by the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at the University Public School (UPS) auditorium on Thursday last. The hall was reportedly packed with students and staff members, as the function was arranged to welcome newly admitted students of the institute.
According to the university spokesperson, Numan Khan, several segments were part of the reception party. He clarified that the Institute of Applied Health Sciences is located outside the main university campus, across the GT-Jamrud Road, and the UPS auditorium where the function was held is also situated on the other side of the road.
“There are seven technologies being offered at the institute with an enrolment of around 1,400 students,” he said, adding that a modelling show and catwalk held during the function drew strong resentment. Almost all participants were recording the event on their mobile phones and other cameras and the footage was later uploaded on social media, where it went viral within a short time.
Numan Khan said that Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jauhar Ali was on leave due to the demise of his mother at the time of the incident. However, upon learning about the details of the event, the vice-chancellor immediately ordered the formation of a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter and determine responsibility.
The university subsequently issued a formal notification constituting a six-member committee. According to the notification, the committee has been tasked with inquiring into and ascertaining the circumstances surrounding the incident that took place during the welcome party at the UPS auditorium on January 15, 2026. The committee has been directed to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit its findings, along with recommendations if any, to the competent authority within three days.
The committee comprises Prof Dr Anoosh Khan from the Department of English and Applied Linguistics, Prof Dr Shahida Aman, Chairperson of the Department of Political Science, Dr Muhammad Irfan Faiz, Chief Proctor and Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Dr Ibrar Khan, Deputy Director Student Societies and Assistant Professor, Department of Criminology, Dr Akhtar Amin, Additional Registrar and Emal Khan, Additional Director Administration.
A member of the committee, while talking to The News wishing not to be named, said that they would commence their proceedings from today (Monday) and will complete their inquiry very soon. “Let us look into the details of the event. We will inquire the matter in a fair and square manner and submit our recommendations,” he said.
The incident has become a major talking point in the city and has been widely discussed and criticized on social media.
Chairperson of the Pakhtunkhwa Qaumi Jirga and a Human Rights Movement Nasira Ibadat, expressed concern over the incident. She said that educational institutions are not only centers of learning but also places for character building and moral training, and that such incidents are against societal values and unacceptable.
