PTI orchestrated 'rape' protests: Maryam

LAHORE: Terming the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf a “terrorist party,” Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said on Wednesday that the PTI had attempted to create confusion over the alleged rape incident at a private college in Lahore.

Maryam told a presser that the alleged rape of a girl was reported on October 10, but the girl was not at the college that day. It was also claimed that the CCTV footage of the incident existed, which was another lie,” she said.

“The guard accused of the incident was arrested from Sargodha, and we began searching for the victim, but there were no eyewitnesses because no incident had taken place.”

She further explained that they had been searching for the victim for days. “The girl, whose name was mentioned in the reports, had been undergoing medical treatment in a hospital since October 2. The guard, who was falsely accused, was on vacation but was still arrested and brought to Lahore for investigation.”

The chief minister accused the PTI of using the incident to spread chaos and run a misleading social media campaign targeting students. “After the failure of their protests, PTI had devised a dangerous plan. The girl’s mother said it was our responsibility to expose the conspiracy behind this false narrative,” she said. Maryam said that the distorted image of Pakistan that the PTI had tried to portray to the world is not the real Pakistan. “Whether they belong to the PTI or Chaudhry Parvez Elahi’s party, an immediate crackdown must be launched against them,” she asserted.

She also directed the education minister not to suspend the college’s registration and to ensure that no injustice is done. “Whoever is responsible for this incident will not be spared,” she warned. Maryam Nawaz ordered a crackdown on those spreading fake news about the incident, regardless of their political affiliations. She condemned the PTI for spreading false information to disrupt the state, especially during the ongoing Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. Maryam Nawaz said that a vile and dangerous plan was hatched after the failure of the protest, anarchy, and the siege. “Who will compensate for the harm done to the child and her family by using her name in this manner?” she questioned. “I know exactly who is behind this conspiracy, and no one involved will be spared.” A high-level committee, formed by the Punjab government, has concluded that the girl was not raped and that her injuries were sustained at home. The administration of the Punjab Group of Colleges also rejected the recent social media campaign targeting the institution. The campaign involved “baseless” posts alleging rape and death of a student, which sparked violent protests resulting in injuries to several students.

At a presser, Group Director Agha Tahir said that the administration treats students “like family members,” adding “we hold our female staff in high esteem.” He emphasised that the college administration was committed to ensuring that educational activities proceed as normal. “We don’t want children wandering the streets. We urge parents to encourage their children to continue their studies.” College principal Sadia Javed explained that an Instagram post appeared on Saturday night, alleging the rape of a girl on the college premises. The post mentioned that the incident took place near some doors in the parking lot. Upon seeing this, the police initiated an investigation and reviewed the CCTV footage. Javed revealed that it was eventually discovered that a few students had been spreading this false story. She asked them to provide the girl’s name and address so the college administration could contact her.

She confirmed that the police had completed their investigations and concluded that the incident was part of a “false propaganda campaign on social media”. College’s Lahore Director Arif Chaudhry said that several interviews with girl, which went viral on social media, featured individuals who do not study at their institution. “I have seen these videos and girls in them are not from this campus,” he said. He also mentioned that he has been in the teaching profession for 36 years. Addressing the issue of protests, he noted that guards would step in if students broke the gate to enter the campus. Some teachers were even slapped by students during the unrest. Chaudhry further mentioned that the police had taken the digital video recorder (DVR) as part of their investigation and had asked for updates on their findings. Speaking about the violent protests, he said that he had been trying to protect himself while ensuring that those who entered the campus remained peaceful. “I have spoken the truth,” he asserted. “If the allegations are proven, I will leave this profession.”

Meanwhile, Defence A police have registered a case regarding a fabricated video related to claims of a college student’s rape. The case has been filed under Section 20 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, which addresses “offences against the dignity of a natural person”. Other charges include Section 354 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty), Section 500 (punishment for defamation), Section 501 (printing or engraving defamatory material), and Section 505 (statements conducive to public mischief). This development follows a public outcry on social media over the alleged rape incident, which went viral across various platforms, with photographs of some female students being widely circulated. The issue first gained attention online when students from a private college protested on Monday against the alleged rape. The demonstration escalated into violence, leading to injuries to dozens of protesters during clashes with law enforcement. Protests continued on Tuesday and Wednesday in different cities across the province.

According to the FIR, news of the alleged rape spread quickly on social media, and several students were asked to confirm the incident. However, the girl in question and her parents have categorically denied that any such event occurred. The FIR states that the girl’s parents reported she had fallen at home on October 2 and sustained a serious injury. She was treated at Lahore General Hospital and Ittefaq Hospital until October 11, with a recommendation for 15 days of bed rest.

“After the injury, the daughter neither went to college nor anywhere else,” the FIR notes, adding that the family’s reputation has been damaged due to the spread of misinformation. The FIR specifically mentions a video that went viral, falsely claiming that a female student from a private college had been raped and was receiving treatment in a hospital. “The incident misled students and the public as part of a conspiracy against government institutions, provoking them to protest,” it states. The FIR also indicates that the angry protesters caused damage by setting fires and destroying property. It further claims that the spread of unverified news on social media has led to significant financial losses.

Meanwhile, students have continued their protests for the third consecutive day, demonstrating in various parts of the province. Protesters blocked roads at Kalma Chowk, near FC Ichhra, and other locations, chanting slogans and obstructing the Kalma Chowk underpass. This led to long queues of vehicles in the area. The students demanded that those responsible for the incident be hanged and expressed their anger against the Punjab government and the college administration. A heavy police presence was deployed to maintain order and. fortunately, no casualties were reported during the protests. Students also staged demonstrations on Canal Road, Jail Road, Harbanspura and Gulberg areas.

In addition to Lahore, demonstrations were held in Burewala, Jaranwala, Kamonki, and Vehari.

In Burewala, students rallied at the press club, calling for a transparent investigation into the incident. In Jaranwala, students protested outside the local campus. A private college administration attempted to block access by erecting obstacles on roads leading to the institution.

Meanwhile, in Kamonki, students from various colleges, along with lawyers, marched from GT Road City Chowk to the private college, demanding severe punishment for those responsible. On the second day of protests, all private colleges in Bhalwal were closed, with government college students blocking roads in response to the incident. In Vehari, both public and private colleges were shut down and police forces were deployed outside various institutions. Hundreds of students blocked Hashilpur Road, burnt tyres and chanted slogans, demanding a transparent inquiry and the immediate arrest of the accused. In Malakwal, hundreds of students protested, attacking, vandalising, and setting fire to a local private college in Mandi Bahauddin. Police detained more than 40 students.

Also, hundreds of students from various colleges in Mandi Bahauddin protested and blocked the highway leading to Islamabad and Mirpur, chanting slogans against the incident. In the course of protest, the students attacked a private college building in Mandi Bahauddin, damaging various parts of the college, including classrooms and the science laboratory. The protesters also set fire to several motorcycles parked on the premises.

Upon receiving information about the situation, a heavy police contingent, led by DPO Ahmed Mohiyuddin, arrived at the scene to disperse the students. The protesters responded by pelting stones at the police, injuring four officers. Police then resorted to a baton charge, dispersing the crowd and arresting around 40 students.

DPO Ahmed Mohiyuddin said that the protesters who caused damage to the college would be arrested soon with the help of CCTV footage and strict legal action would be taken against them.

A spokesperson for the private college in Mandi Bahauddin reported that vandalism had caused millions of rupees in damages. He urged the police authorities to arrest those responsible for the destruction and added that restoration work on the college would begin shortly.

In Bahawalpur, hundreds of students from a private college in Ahmadpur East staged a protest, blocking the National Highway. The protesters raised slogans and demanded immediate justice for the alleged sexual assault of female students.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, different groups from the same private college held demonstrations outside the Bahawalpur Press Club, at Chowk Fawara and Fareed Gate, demanding action against those responsible. In Lalamusa, students staged a violent protest at the private college, resulting in the death of a security guard and extensive damage to college property. The unrest also spread to the girls’ campus near Shadman Colony.

Agitated students stormed the buildings, vandalising furniture, destroying college records and setting fire to various parts of the premises. Hundreds of students participated in the protest, overwhelming the limited college security. Despite efforts by local authorities, police were unable to control the riotous crowd. According to early estimates, rescue teams responded quickly to extinguish the fires, which caused damages amounting to crores of rupees. Both the boys’ and girls’ campuses were left in ruins, with widespread destruction and debris.

One of the most tragic outcomes was the death of a security guard, Azhar Hussain, a 50-year-old resident of Gondal Sharif. Hussain, who was on duty at the boys’ campus, was reportedly attacked by a group of enraged students. He was rushed to Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Director of Colleges Rana Younis condemned the violent incident and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. Local law enforcement detained 30 students.

Police said that the video footage, including CCTV recordings, would be reviewed to identify the key perpetrators involved in the attack. “We are conducting thorough investigations from multiple angles and the case will be consolidated based on future evidence. We aim to ensure that all responsible are brought to justice,” a spokesperson for the Gujrat police said.

In the aftermath of the violent protests, the district administration has announced a three-day closure of all government schools and colleges.

Meanwhile, a student who has been cited by the social media of being raped and her parents have lodged an application to register a case against those who had spread lies about her on social media under the Cybercrime Act.

After the police registered a case at the Defence police station, the parents of the student also moved an application for investigation against the conspiracy which led to her character assassination, malicious gossip and violent protests in Punjab.