The Higher Education Department (HED) inquiry committee has completed its on-site investigation at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) into the death of 22-year-old BBA student Tanzil Musa. The student died earlier this month after allegedly consuming a soft drink purchased from the university canteen, raising serious questions about the enforcement of soft drink bans in educational institutions and the adequacy of campus emergency medical services.
Inquiry Details and Canteen Operations
According to university sources, the committee questioned both the university administration and the canteen contractor regarding the sale of soft drinks on campus. Despite existing restrictions on such sales in educational institutions, the canteen owner admitted to selling the beverage consumed by Tanzil Musa. The owner further stated that the same bottled drink had been purchased by several other students without any reported adverse effects. The committee sought to determine whether the drink was contaminated or if the student had a pre-existing medical condition.
Emergency Response Failures
The investigation revealed critical lapses in the university's emergency preparedness. Sources disclosed that the oxygen cylinder available for emergency medical assistance was reportedly empty at the time of the incident, depriving the student of immediate oxygen support before rescue personnel arrived. Additionally, the university ambulance allegedly lacked sufficient fuel, causing delays in transferring Tanzil Musa to Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH) for emergency treatment. These failures have drawn sharp criticism from the student community and raised concerns about the university's ability to handle medical emergencies.
Previous Incidents and Official Response
During the proceedings, it was claimed that this was the third such incident involving a student death under similar circumstances at IUB, although this assertion has not been officially verified. The committee also reviewed the university's medical facilities and overall emergency response arrangements, noting deficiencies in equipment availability and procedural handling. University spokesperson Shehzad Ahmad confirmed that the HED committee had recorded statements from relevant individuals and inspected the available medical infrastructure. He stated that the committee's report has not yet been finalized, and its findings will be made public upon completion of the inquiry process.
