Update:
A significant development has occurred in the Punjab college case, with authorities arresting a woman who claimed to be the mother of the alleged rape victim, according to ARY News on Tuesday.
Details indicate that the arrested woman was involved in circulating an unverified report on social media, alleging that a first-year female student had been raped at a private college in Lahore.
The woman, identified as Sara Khan, was discovered to have fabricated the incident. She was apprehended in Karachi and later transferred to Lahore for further investigation.
The Gulberg Police Station has filed a case against her under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
Police officials disclosed that Sara Khan has ties to a political party, and during the initial investigation, she admitted that the video was posted on social media to gain views.
The authorities have stated that the accused will be brought before a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to provide her statement. So far, four cases have been registered against her for disseminating false information regarding the private college in Lahore.
Update:
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat revealed that the PGC Campus 10 principal deleted CCTV footage to cover up an incident, leading to the suspension of the campus’s license. This startling discovery has resulted in the suspension of the Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC) license for that particular campus.
Update:
Amid escalating protests over the alleged rape of a female student at Campus 10 of Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC) in Lahore, the institution issued a statement denying the claims.
“We would like to address the recent false claims circulating on social media regarding an alleged incident at one of our campuses. After a thorough and impartial investigation by law enforcement, we can confirm that no such incident has been reported to the police or our administration, and no student, parent, or guardian has raised concerns,” said the official statement released by PGC on Monday.
The statement further emphasized that despite the absence of credible evidence, the institution remains committed to transparency and will cooperate fully with authorities to ensure a fair investigation.
“At Punjab Group of Colleges, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priority. We have strict security protocols in place that are regularly updated to maintain a safe environment,” the statement added. PGC also urged students, parents, and the community to avoid spreading or believing in “unverified news,” cautioning that it could lead to unnecessary panic.
The allegations, which surfaced on social media, claimed that a first-year student was raped by a security guard named Aun after being accidentally locked in the basement during a lunch break. A male teacher reportedly heard the victim’s cries and discovered her in distress. The guard allegedly fled the scene, sparking widespread anger and demands for action on social media, with netizens highlighting previous inappropriate behavior by the guard towards female staff.
The outcry led to the arrest of the suspect on Sunday. In response, Deputy Inspector General (Operations) Faisal Kamran confirmed that a special team was tasked with apprehending the suspect and investigating the matter. However, he also clarified that the reports were based solely on social media claims, and neither the victim nor her family had come forward.
The police confirmed that no First Information Report (FIR) had been filed, and neither the police nor the college administration had received any formal complaints. Authorities suggested that the viral social media reports might be an attempt to damage the college’s reputation, urging the public to refrain from making assumptions until facts were established.
“The suspect is being questioned to verify the social media reports,” the police statement concluded, noting that despite the viral nature of the claims, no concrete evidence has been found to support them.
In a deeply troubling incident, a security guard at Punjab Group of Colleges (PGC) Campus 10 in Lahore was arrested for allegedly raping a first-year student.
The incident occurred when the student was accidentally locked in the basement during a break, where she was reportedly sexually assaulted by the security guard, identified as Aun, and a van driver.
Her cries for help were eventually heard by a male teacher, who found her in distress and sought help. The accused fled the scene shortly after the assault.
The news of the assault, which quickly spread on social media, sparked widespread outrage, leading to large-scale protests at multiple PGC campuses, including Campus 10 and Campus 16. Students, alongside members of the broader community, gathered to demand justice for the victim, accusing the college administration of attempting to silence them and protect the institution’s reputation.
The protests soon escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and campus security, resulting in several injuries, with one student critically injured and hospitalized.
The victim, who is receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), remains in critical condition. Despite the severity of the case, her family has yet to file a formal First Information Report (FIR), a key step in the legal process.
However, the Lahore police acted swiftly, arresting Aun within 10 hours of the incident on the outskirts of the city. Efforts are still underway to locate the van driver, who remains at large.
Students protested outside PGC campus in Faisalabad in response to a r*p* case.
byu/Ok_Incident2310 inLyallpur
Safety Concerns and Allegations of Cover-Up
The incident has raised serious concerns over the safety of students in educational institutions across Pakistan. Reports have surfaced indicating that Aun had a history of inappropriate behavior towards female staff members, yet no preventive action was taken by the college administration. This failure to act has amplified student frustration, as they accuse the college of prioritizing its reputation over student welfare and transparency. The allegations that the administration is pressuring students to remain silent have further deepened the mistrust and anger among protestors.
Students have vowed to continue their demonstrations until justice is served, with protests showing no signs of subsiding. The incident has drawn attention to the larger issue of sexual violence in educational institutions. According to a 2023 report, over 3,500 cases of child abuse were reported in Pakistan, many of which occurred within schools and colleges. The lack of safety measures, combined with weak accountability systems, continues to fuel public outrage.
Call for Stricter Laws and Accountability
The PGC case has become a flashpoint for a broader movement calling for stricter laws and enforcement to prevent similar incidents in the future. Students across Lahore are demanding greater protection, including improved security measures, thorough background checks for staff, and transparent investigations in cases of misconduct. They have also emphasized the need for educational institutions to prioritize student safety over institutional reputation.
This developing story highlights the urgent need for systemic change within Pakistan’s educational sector. The protests continue, with students and community members standing united in their demand for justice and accountability. As the investigation unfolds, there is mounting pressure on authorities and educational institutions to address the safety concerns that have long been neglected.
A Nation’s Call for Justice
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the vulnerability faced by students, particularly in environments where safety measures are insufficient. The Punjab Group of Colleges case has sparked national attention, with calls for action echoing across the country. Until meaningful reforms are enacted, the threat of similar incidents looms large, leaving students and their families grappling with fear and uncertainty.
The nation now watches closely as the investigation progresses, hopeful that justice will prevail for the victim and that long-overdue changes will be made to safeguard the future of Pakistan’s youth.
