The Punjab government has decided to reinstate the registration of a Lahore private college that was suspended following unverified reports of an alleged rape involving a female student. Sources indicate that a notification to restore the college’s license will be issued shortly, allowing academic activities to resume at the Gulberg campus.
The college’s registration was initially suspended on October 14 by order of the Punjab education minister, pending a fair investigation into the allegations. This decision came after protests from students demanding the college’s suspension amid ongoing controversy.
Read more: Punjab College Case: Police Detain Hundreds of Students Protesting Across Punjab
On October 14, Lahore experienced significant protests as students stormed the Gulberg campus following news of the alleged rape. The situation escalated into violent clashes between students and police, resulting in injuries to 27 individuals, including five police officers.
Students, enraged by the reported incident, broke into the campus, damaging property and setting belongings on fire. The college administration had closed the gates and suspended classes to maintain order, but tensions boiled over as students forcibly entered.
When police intervened, clashes erupted, leading to injuries among both students and law enforcement. Rescue teams were deployed to provide medical assistance.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat visited the campus to engage with protesters, who continued to vandalize classrooms despite assurances that their demands would be addressed and that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the alleged rape.
Subsequently, the Punjab Education Department suspended the registration of the Gulberg campus. Protests also spread to other college campuses, including Muslim Town and Airline Society, where students voiced their grievances over the incident.
