LAHORE – A group of King Edward Medical University (KEMU) students conveyed an impression of “unrest” in the varsity over an oncology professor’s remarks on the hijab (female veil) to Health Secretary Arif Nadeem on Friday, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Nearly 15 4th year MBBS students called upon the health secretary at his office urging him to remove the professor immediately to avoid any “untoward” incident. Earlier, a campaign was started against Oncology Professor Dr Shahryar by female students for allegedly uttering “controversial” remarks on several Islamic principles, including female ‘hijab’ in the last week of January. A complaint was lodged with KEMU pro-VC Professor Asad Aslam. Dr Shehryar, however, apologised to the entire 4th year MBBS class in a lecture theatre, saying he was “misunderstood” and the matter was considered closed. The pro-VC had consulted two ulemas who declared it a misunderstanding and said the matter was resolved. However, it emerged students did not accept the apology and the campaign continued, after which the KEMU pro-VC recommended that the health department transfer the said professor. However, students continued their campaign and met the health secretary to press him to initiate action against Dr Shehryar. Talking to Pakistan Today on anonymity, one of the students who met the secretary said, “Dr Shehryar has confused the religious beliefs of students by asking female students to remove their hijab in front of him since he was like their father.”

“Female students are very hurt, otherwise 85 girls would not have signed the application to remove him,” he said, “We met the secretary because we do not want a religious organisation to make an issue out of it which could impact the university’s atmosphere.” He said, “The secretary has assured us that he will initiate action and varsity sources informed us that Dr Shehryar has been transferred to SIMS.” However, KEMU pro-VC Professor Asad Aslam said he has already written to the health department to transfer the professor, who under the rules, comes within the jurisdiction of the government. He said that it is up to the health department to take action against a Grade 20 professor appointed by the chief minister. To a question, he said that he had written a letter to health department considering the sensitivity of the matter to avoid any untoward incident against anyone, including Dr Shehryar. However, KEMU has received no transfer orders from the health department about Shehryar, he added.
Health Secretary Arif Nadeem was not available for comments.

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