- Worth noting, with sensational scenes
In response to escalating student-led protests in Pakistan’s Punjab province over allegations of rape at a college campus, authorities have announced the closure of all educational institutions. This decision, made by the provincial interior department, aims to quell unrest sparked by the disturbing reports that a female student was assaulted at the Punjab College for Women. Gatherings have been banned on Friday and Saturday, impacting approximately 26 million children and adult learners in the region.
The protests erupted in Lahore after social media posts alleged that the assault occurred in the basement of the college. As tensions rose, Rawalpindi police reported that 380 individuals were arrested for vandalism and arson during protests in the city. Police officer Syed Khalid Mehmood Hamdani stated that authorities would leverage social media to identify and apprehend those involved in the unrest.
In the wake of the allegations, a security guard was arrested, identified through online images, yet police indicated that no victim had officially come forward, complicating efforts to validate the claims. The protests have since spread to various campuses across Lahore and Rawalpindi, where police resorted to tear gas and physical force to disperse crowds. Many students accused law enforcement and governmental authorities of attempting to cover up the alleged incident.
As protests intensified, hundreds of students were detained in multiple cities for road blockages and clashes with security forces. The situation reflects a growing concern among Pakistani students regarding safety, harassment, and sexual assault, along with widespread mistrust in the authorities tasked with their protection.
An investigation team established to look into the claims reported finding no evidence to support the allegations, casting doubt on the motivations behind the protests. Arif Chaudry, director of the private Punjab Group of Colleges, which operates the women’s college, went so far as to claim, “The incident does not exist,” pledging to resign if the allegations were proven true.
In response to the chaos, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that individuals responsible for disseminating false information would face legal consequences. The Progressive Students Collective, a group advocating for continued protests, has called for the establishment of a committee that includes independent human rights organizations, student representatives, and judges to ensure accountability and transparency in the investigation process.
