LAHORE, October 19, 2024: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has formed a full court bench to examine critical incidents of harassment against female students, following widespread protests in Punjab sparked by allegations of rape involving a student from a private college.
Chief Justice Aalia Neelum underscored the importance of the issue, instructing authorities to collect statements from the alleged victim linked to the case.
The protests have led to nearly 400 arrests in Rawalpindi alone, with numerous others charged in Lahore and other cities for violating Section 144, which prohibits gatherings. In light of the unrest, all educational institutions in Punjab have been closed.
The court is reviewing three separate incidents: the alleged rape, a suicide at Punjab University, and harassment claims at Lahore College of Women University (LCWU).
During proceedings, Chief Justice Neelum expressed dissatisfaction with police handling of the situation, particularly regarding the dissemination of videos on social media that fueled protests.
The Inspector General of Police reported efforts to contact the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to control the situation.
Concerns were raised about the lack of evidence supporting the widespread claims of rape, with the provincial advocate general admitting to shortcomings in the authorities’ response.
Chief Justice Neelum cautioned against the exploitation of the unrest by opportunists, lamenting the chaos could arise from misinformation.
Additionally, she ordered a ban on male presence in areas where female students are present and emphasized the need for authorities to restore parental trust.
A committee led by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) director general has been tasked with investigating the three cases.
The protests have escalated into violence, resulting in property damage, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to announce a crackdown on those spreading false information regarding the rape allegations.