Dera Ismail Khan: Gomal University has banned students from walking or sitting together with the opposite gender on any grounds beyond department premises.

Gomal University is a public research university located in Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Founded and established in 1974, the university is one of the oldest institutions in the country and occupies one of the largest campuses in the province.

“Female students are directed to be careful and limit themselves to their classrooms and department common rooms,’’ a notification released by the Office of the Student’s Dealing Committee said on Wednesday. It warned that strict action will be taken against any violators.

Twitter users reacted to the ban and called it repressive and dissappointing.

In March 2021, Gomal University imposed a Rs5,000 fine on two students for listening to music while classes were in session. One of the students who was fined was enrolled in a Master’s programme, while the other was studying for his undergraduate degree at the Institute of Computing and Information Technology Department.

Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Iftikhar Ahmed said that, “music that disturbs the educational environment” is banned in the university.

He said that the administration does not have any issues if someone is listening to music without disturbing others and that the administration has only banned smoking, drugs, and political activity.