The Punjab government has decided to reinstate the registration of a private college in Lahore. This decision comes in the wake of intense protests after the college’s license was suspended due to unverified reports of an alleged rape involving a female student. Sources suggest that an official notification to restore the college’s registration will be issued soon, allowing academic activities to resume at the Gulberg campus.
On October 14, Punjab’s Education Minister ordered the suspension of the college’s registration. The move was made pending an impartial investigation into the incident, which had sparked outrage among students. Officials stated that the action was necessary to ensure accountability while the matter was being thoroughly examined.
Protests erupted on the same day, as students stormed the Gulberg campus upon learning about the alleged rape. Enraged, they broke into the college, causing damage to property and setting belongings on fire. In an effort to prevent further escalation, the college administration closed the gates and suspended classes. However, the students forcefully broke through the gates, leading to violent clashes with law enforcement.
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Confrontations
Police arrived to control the unrest, resulting in confrontations that left 27 people injured, including five police officers. Rescue teams were dispatched to provide immediate medical assistance to those wounded in the altercations. The situation escalated quickly, with tensions continuing to rise despite the presence of law enforcement.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat visited the campus to address the protesters and offer reassurance. However, his presence did little to calm the situation. As students entered the college premises with the minister, they began vandalizing classrooms and further escalating the chaos. Minister Hayat assured the demonstrators that their concerns were being taken seriously and promised strict action against those involved in the alleged incident.
Education Department Suspends College’s Registration
In the aftermath of the violent protests, the Punjab Education Department made the decision to suspend the registration of the college’s Gulberg campus. The unrest soon spread to other campuses of the college, including those in Muslim Town and Airline Society, where students organized additional protests, voicing their anger over the incident and demanding justice.
The education department has since informed the college management of its decision to restore the campus’s registration. Sources within the department confirm that academic activities will soon resume at the Gulberg campus. The government remains under pressure to ensure a transparent investigation and that justice is served.
As the college prepares to reopen, students and faculty hope for a swift resolution to the ongoing investigation. There is a strong demand for a safe and secure learning environment, not just at this institution but across all educational facilities in the region. The community, along with students and parents, remains vigilant as they await the final outcome of the investigation.
