Student protests erupt after alleged sexual assault at Punjab Group of Colleges' campus in Lahore

Protests erupted at Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC) campuses in Lahore on Monday following allegations that a security guard raped a first-year intermediate student (equivalent to a high school junior).

According to students, the incident allegedly occurred last week on Wednesday in the basement of PGC Campus 10 in Gulberg, an all-girls facility for first-year intermediate students.

A female protester outside Campus 10 reported to Nuktathat students were being threatened by the administration and feared consequences for demonstrating.

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The student also claimed that campus guards had been changed on Friday, and female students were instructed by college authorities not to go anywhere alone at school.

Heated arguments broke out between emotionally charged students and police outside Campus 10, resulting in injuries. Protesters chanted "We Want Justice," and anti-PGC graffiti appeared on campus walls.

At Campus 10, students burned furniture and papers, broke the gate leading to the alleged crime scene, and damaged plant pots in the parking basement. Although students were later barred from entering, police maintained a presence on campus.

Dr. Syed Ansar Azhar, the Director of Public Instruction (Colleges) for Punjab, has taken official action in response to the allegations. He issued a circular saying the registration of the PGC campus is suspended pending investigation, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.

Protesters vowed to continue until justice was served. PGC's official statement denied the allegations, claiming a lack of credible evidence while committing to transparency and cooperation with authorities.

PGC's official response

The Punjab Group of Colleges issued an official statement addressing the allegations. The institution firmly denied the occurrence, stating that a "thorough and impartial investigation by law enforcement authorities" had been conducted. They asserted that "no such incident has been reported to the police or our campus administration, and no student, parent, or guardian has raised concerns".

The college emphasized its commitment to transparency and cooperation with authorities, despite claiming a "lack of credible evidence supporting these allegations".

Punjab Group of College's official statement addressing the allegations, released on October 14, 2024.PGC

The statement concluded by urging the community to "avoid following or sharing news from unverified channels, as it may cause confusion or unnecessary concern."

Second protest at Muslim Town flyover

Hundreds of students from PGC, Government College Lahore, Forman Christian College, and other institutions staged protests under the Muslim Town flyover in Lahore’s upscale Gulberg neighborhood. Police allegedly dispersed the crowds with batons, injuring multiple students.

  

Nukta

Students from Punjab Group of Colleges block traffic on the Muslim Town flyover during a demonstration in Gulberg, Lahore.

The demonstrations disrupted traffic flow on Ferozpur Road and Canal Road.

Most protesters were in their late teens, with social media being their primary information source, where unconfirmed rumors circulated about the victim's death. Students actively posted on Instagram and Snapchat, protecting each other from potential arrests.

Police detained some students in a prisoner van and transferred them to Gulberg police station.

Suspect allegedly arrested

The DIG Operations confirmed a day earlier the suspect's apprehension within 10 hours of the incident on Lahore's outskirts. He said Punjab police arrested the accused security guard, identified as Aun, after he had fled seeing the incident reported on social media.

Authorities are working to locate the victim and her family, with legal proceedings underway.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the victim was admitted to Evercare Hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but authorities have not verified this information.

10,201 cases in just 2023

According to the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO) 2023 report, Punjab recorded 10,201 cases of violence under PPC 354 (Assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and PPC 509 (Insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment). Lahore emerged as the primary hotspot for violent crimes against women, with 1,464 cases, followed by Sheikhupura (1,198) and Kasur (877).

The report also highlighted alarming rape statistics in Punjab, with 6,624 cases reported across the province in 2023. This translates to approximately one rape incident every 45 minutes. Faisalabad recorded the highest number of rape cases at 728, closely followed by Lahore (721) and Sargodha (398).