Protest at Sarhad University Islamabad: Inquiry against military officer launched

ISLAMABAD: An inquiry has reportedly been launched against a serving military officer on Monday after he allegedly opened aerial fire and pointed a pistol at students during a protest on the premises of Sarhad University’s Islamabad campus.

According to students, the Head of the Nursing Department (HoD), Dr Jadoon Khan, had a dispute with the Human Resources (HR) manager, Dr Aina Ilyas, over an unspecified issue. The HR manager allegedly abused Dr Jadoon Khan, informed the police, and threatened him with the registration of a first information report (FIR). She also filed an application against Jadoon Khan at a police station. The matter was reportedly resolved between the concerned parties, and no further legal proceedings were initiated at that stage.

Later, the students staged a protest against the behaviour of the HR manager towards the HoD. Students closed the university gates and demanded the resignation of the HR manager.

The HR manager later arrived at the protest site and exchanged harsh words with students.

Dr Aina reportedly called her husband, Lt Col Asfand Yar, who arrived at the university in military uniform. Following his arrival, an exchange of harsh words took place between him and protesting students, and the situation rapidly escalated. The officer reportedly pushed back the gathering using a stick. Students reacted, and a physical confrontation took place.

The officer allegedly pointed a pistol, and later he fired two shots into the air. Following the firing and physical altercation, protesting students surrounded and detained the officer within the university limits. During the scuffle, uniform of the officer was reportedly torn. The protesting students demanded arrest and registration of an FIR against the officer.

Soon after the incident, senior officers of Islamabad police, including Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muhammad Haroon Joya, reached the campus and assured the students that authorities would take action against the military officer.

Sources said that the military’s top leadership has taken serious notice of the incident and an inquiry against the accused officer has been initiated.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026