KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

KMU ROAD PHASE-V, HAYATABAD

PESHAWAR KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Phone: 091-9217703, Fax: 091-9217704

Ref: 3-12 (13)/KMU/24-01 Dated: 13-03-2024

Deans/Directors/Principals/HoDs
KMU – Constituent and Affiliated Colleges/Institutions

Subject: PROHIBITION OF INTIMATE OR ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN

FACULTY MEMBERS, STAFF, AND STUDENTS AS PER HEC POLICY ON
PROTECTION AGAINST SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION
INSTITUTIONS 2020

Dear All,

As per the Higher Education Commission (HEC) policy on Protection against Sexual Harassment in
Higher Education Institutions 2020 (adopted by KMU), it is essential to address matters pertaining to
personal relationships within our academic community.

The jurisdiction of this policy extends to all constituent and affiliated colleges/institutions of KMU,
under Section 3 (Jurisdiction), sub section 3.1, stated below.
3.1. This policy applies to actions by students, faculty, staff, other members of the Higher
Education Institutions (HEI) community (such as interns, residents etc.), or third parties
(such as service providers, visitors etc.), when the misconduct occurs:
a) on the HEI property (i.e. on campus) or in its immediate vicinity;
b) off the HEI property, if (i) the conduct occurs in connection with an HEI recognized
program or activity or (ii) the conduct may create a hostile environment or pose a safety
risk on campus; and
c) using the university’s computing or network resources accessed from an off-campus
location, which shall be deemed to have occurred on campus.

In adherence to Section 14 (Special Considerations Regarding Relationships Between Individuals) of

the aforementioned policy, intimate or romantic relationships between faculty members, staff, and
students are strictly prohibited as emphasized in sub section 14.1 and 14.2 stated below.
14.1. In contrast with sexual harassment, personal relationships among consenting
adults of the HEI community that do not breach the social and cultural norms of the
society are, in general, a private matter.
14.2. Under the policy it is highly inappropriate for any member of the community to
establish an intimate relationship with a student, subordinate or colleague on whose
academic or work performance he or she will be required to make professional judgments.
The policy requires that the individual may not involve themselves in such conduct as the
professional responsibility for supervision or oversight would be affected in such cases.
Relationships with a difference in power and authority can seriously affect the institutional
working as well as the credibility of all involved. In particular, intimate or romantic
relationships between faculty members, staff and students (whether at the undergraduate
or the graduate level) shall be prohibited.

1
 KHYBER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
KMU ROAD PHASE-V, HAYATABAD
PESHAWAR KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Phone: 091-9217703, Fax: 091-9217704

These relationships pose conflicts of interest, compromise professional judgment, and risk the
institution's credibility. The individuals involved in such relationships should declare it.

The penalties for violating this policy are severe and may include oral or written reprimand, dismissal,
suspension, expulsion, disciplinary probation, imposition of fine, withholding of degree, cancellation
of professional license, inclusion of decision in personal file and other related sanctions as deemed
appropriate.

KMU maintains a zero-tolerance policy for Harassment of any kind. Recent actions taken for violating
this policy include expulsion of a Grade-18 staff member, written reprimand, fines, and demotion for
another Grade-17 staff member, and several other senior staff members have given final warning and
are under surveillance.

Further details regarding this policy and associated penalties can be found on the Harassment Complaint
Cell section of the KMU website www.kmu.edu.pk.

I kindly request you all to disseminate this policy within your respective institute and/or administrative
section. Please ensure that all the faculty, staff, and students are fully informed and compliant with the
provisions outlined in the policy.

This is issued with the approval of Honourable Vice Chancellor KMU.

Dr.Brekhna Jamil
Chairperson
KMU- Harassment Inquiry Committee

Cc:
1. PSO to Vice Chancellor, KMU
2. PS to Registrar, KMU
3. Office Record