Family of PhD student Nadia Ashraf, who committed suicide after allegedly being harassed by a Karachi University professor, refused to pursue any legal action while police investigations are being underway, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The suicide caused an uproar on social media with many activists and PhD students expressing their grief and anger on the alleged suicide. 

Nadia Ashraf was a doctoral student at Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Research at Karachi University but she was unable to complete her PhD in the last 15 years. Nadia Ashraf got enrolled herself for PhD in 2007.

Police said, “Nadia was also suffering from psychological and family issues while suicide case is being investigated from all angles.” 

A notice has been issued for taking the statement of Prof Iqbal Chaudhry who is currently in Islamabad, the Head of the Investigation Committee Sindh Police said.

A letter has also been written to Prof Iqbal Chaudhry to be present before the inquiry committee as soon as possible. 

The head of the inquiry committee said the committee also took statements from the family of PhD student Nadia Ashraf, who believed no one is behind the death of Nadia.

Earlier, International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi has termed news and social media posts linking the suicide of Ashraf to her PhD at the Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research (PCMD) “baseless and unfounded”.

The head of the police inquiry committee said she was facing mental stress and used to take drugs.