Ashraf was a doctorate student of Dr Panuaini Centre for Molecular Medicine and Research since 2007. However, despite a period of 15 years, she wasn't able to complete her thesis due to multiple reasons.
After her death, social media users and the students of Karachi University are demanding an investigation into the suicide of Nadia Ashraf, asking the administration to probe why she wasn’t able to finish her PhD despite lapse of 15 years.
According to some reports, she would tell her friends prior to her suicide that Dr Iqbal Chaudhry would not allow her to have a PhD, saying, “I don’t know what the doctor wants from me.”
Many social media users also alleged that Ashraf decided to take her own life as a result of the harassment by Dr Chaudhry. However, the university denied such claims in a statement, and said that the student had 'mental issues'.
Meanwhile, #JusticeforNadiaAshraf remained a top trend on twitter.
A user claimed the education system of Pakistan was 'least protective about our students and intellectuals'.
We belong to a society where harrasment is considered normal and just the accurate behaviour. We are least protective about our students and intellectuals. Its has been enough of letting down our valued citizens especially women #justiceforNadiaAshraf pic.twitter.com/rTt2a4VIhG
— Monal Murtaza Khan (@monal_khan) August 16, 2020
One user shared her last conversation, wherein she had expressed reservations about her supervisor.
“Dr. Iqbal Chaudhry will not allow me to have a PhD. Don’t know what the doctor wants from me.”
???
These are the words that #nadiaashraf uttered in her immediate circle before committing suicide. #JusticeForNadiaAshraf pic.twitter.com/Rhc5DFp4LU
— Afrasyab Khan (@AfrasyabKhan18) August 16, 2020
One Sufian Sukhera said there was no training for teachers to see how students struggle with depression.
There is no psychological or educational training for teachers in general, they don't treat students like they should be treated, everything about our education system has to change else such cases will keep coming.
Depression is real..#JusticeForNadiaAshraf pic.twitter.com/jrPRtoFsoe
— M Sufian Sukhera (@SufianSukhera) August 17, 2020