PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has introduced new measures aimed at strengthening safeguards for female students in public universities, including a ban on one-on-one office meetings between male faculty members and female students.

In a notification issued by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Higher Education Department, universities across the province were directed to implement the policy with immediate effect. The department said the step is intended to promote a safer and more secure academic environment.

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Under the new rules, male faculty members will not be allowed to hold individual meetings with female students in their offices. Universities have also been instructed to nominate at least one female faculty member in every department to address complaints and concerns raised by female students.

According to the notification, the designated female faculty member will serve as a focal person, ensuring students have an accessible and secure platform to report issues.

The department further directed universities to organize awareness seminars at least once every quarter to inform students about laws and policies related to protection against harassment.

Officials said the measures are part of broader efforts to improve institutional safeguards and reinforce student protection mechanisms in higher education institutions across the province.