Authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province have ordered the closure of all educational institutions amid escalating student-led protests following allegations of rape on a college campus.
The provincial interior department also imposed a ban on gatherings for Friday and Saturday.
This closure is expected to impact around 26 million children, as well as adult learners in the region. Rawalpindi police reported that 380 individuals were arrested for vandalism and arson during protests, with ongoing investigations to identify others involved through social media.
Protests erupted in Lahore last week after social media posts alleged that a female student was raped in the basement of the Punjab College for Women.
Police arrested a security guard identified in the online discussions, but no victim has come forward, and authorities have not verified the rape allegation.
The demonstrations have spread to campuses throughout Lahore and Rawalpindi, where police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds. Students accused the authorities of attempting to cover up the incident.
Hundreds of students have been detained for blocking roads and engaging in violence, highlighting widespread concerns about safety, harassment, and sexual assault against women in educational settings, as well as distrust in the authorities.
An investigation team looking into the allegations reported no evidence of rape and questioned the motives behind the protests. Arif Chaudry, the Lahore director of the Punjab Group of Colleges, stated, “The incident does not exist,” asserting his willingness to resign if the allegations were proven true.
Punjab’s Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, warned that those spreading false information would face consequences.
The Progressive Students Collective, a group organizing the protests, is demanding the establishment of a committee that includes independent human rights organizations, student representatives, and judges to ensure accountability.
