Lahore
In response to escalating student protests over an alleged on-campus rape, the Punjab government in Pakistan has announced a three-day closure of all educational institutions across the province on Friday. The unrest follows reports of a female student allegedly raped by a security guard at the Punjab College for Women in Lahore. Protests, which have been ongoing since Monday, have turned violent, resulting in injuries to at least 50 students, three of whom are in critical condition.
To maintain public order, the government has banned all public gatherings and has arrested over 600 students amid the unrest. Although police have confirmed these arrests, many students have reportedly been released after their parents provided undertakings. Parents of the arrested students have criticized law enforcement for using excessive force, claiming that students were treated as hardened criminals.
Maryam Nawaz, the province’s Chief Minister, dismissed the allegations of rape as ‘fake news,’ asserting that no evidence of such an incident has been found. The government cited security concerns as a primary reason for the closures, warning that protests could be targets for terrorist activities.
In a related move, the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing has launched raids targeting journalists and social media influencers accused of spreading the alleged rape story, which has fueled the protests. Among those arrested are several individuals, including a National Assembly employee and various TikTokers. Authorities have filed FIRs against 38 journalists and TikTokers for disseminating misinformation.
