Metro53 - LAHORE (Web Desk) -- An inquiry report into the suicide of University of Lahore student Muhammad Awais Sultan has revealed that he had been suffering from psychological issues for a long time but was not provided with any psychological counseling. According to the report, Awais Sultan took his own life due to severe mental stress, and the act appeared to be premeditated.
According to details, the Punjab Higher Education Department constituted a four-member independent, transparent and autonomous inquiry committee following the suicide of student Awais Sultan, who jumped from the fourth floor of the University of Lahore. The committee was headed by Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Professor Dr Aqif Anwar Chaudhry. Director Punjab Higher Education Commission Dr Muhammad Asif Munir served as Secretary and member of the committee, while Vice Chancellor of the University of Home Economics Professor Dr Zainab-un-Nisa and Rector of the University of Management and Technology Dr Asif Raza were also members.
The committee visited the University of Lahore and the native village of the deceased student as part of its investigation. During the inquiry, meetings were held with the university rector, registrar, deans, faculty members and security officials to gather facts. The committee also met with relatives in Awais Sultan’s village to obtain further information about his background.
In its findings, the committee stated that Muhammad Awais Sultan was a fifth-semester student with good academic performance, holding a CGPA of 3.14. His attendance in all subjects, except one, was above the required standard. Even in that subject, sufficient classes were still remaining in the semester to make up for the attendance shortfall. The report noted that the shortage may have been due to his habit of arriving late for early morning classes. It is noteworthy that 75 per cent attendance is a mandatory requirement under the semester policies of many universities in Pakistan, including the University of Lahore.
Following the incident, the university immediately provided medical assistance to the injured student at its own hospital and later shifted him to Lahore General Hospital for specialized treatment. However, the committee observed that the university administration should have immediately suspended the International Food Festival being held on campus at the time, in order to show respect and acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
In its recommendations, the committee emphasized that the University of Lahore should establish a comprehensive student counseling ecosystem. It also recommended that the Higher Education Department, Government of Punjab, issue a directive mandating all universities to set up psychological counseling centers on their campuses. The committee further stressed the need for mental health first aid training and capacity building of faculty and staff as part of professional development programs.
The report also recommended that universities conduct regular seminars and awareness campaigns to prevent mental health crises and suicide-related incidents. The inquiry committee has submitted its detailed report and expressed hope that implementation of its recommendations would help prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
