ISAMABAD – Following the controversial ‘6 inch distance’ directive between male and female students that forbid any physical contact between them at Bahria University, a further directive bifurcates student cafeterias.
The earlier decision had been heavily criticized on social media but defended by University spokesperson Mehwish Kamran who termed the distance as ‘personal space’.
With the latest prohibition, of the four cafeterias in Islamabad campus, only one (‘Dean’s Cafeteria’) caters to the female students exclusively whilst the other three (Capital Café, Student Café and Daily Grind) is for the male students exclusively.
Whilst student backlash was foreseen, even staff members are surprised at the seemingly illogical segregation of male and female students at a co-educational institute with a score of other shared facilities.
A staff member believes this decision is a reflection of a failure of the University in regards to teaching students responsibility without resorting to such reactionary measures and a display of inadequate preparation for their future professional lives.
Students face disciplinary action in case of violation of this directive which was signed by deputy director (Admin & Coordination) Commander (retd) Habibur Rehman.
The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (FAPUASA) had demanded the Bahria University to withdraw the earlier notification instructing male and female students to maintain a distance of six inches but have not commented on the matter at hand.
