RAWALPINDI: Over 250 students have been arrested in connection with violent protests following allegations of a female student’s rape at a private college in Lahore.
According to police, suspects have been identified and apprehended using video evidence, with the number of arrests expected to rise. Authorities noted that not all those arrested were students, as some non-students were involved in vandalism and other unlawful activities during the protests.
The police have stated that the situation in the city is now under control. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, in a press conference, dismissed the rumors of an alleged on-campus rape, calling it a “fabricated story” aimed at misleading the public and provoking students via social media. She clarified that the incident never took place and accused the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) of spreading the rumors for political gain.
“The girl is not a victim of rape, but of bad politics and conspiracy,” said Maryam Nawaz, emphasizing that the story was concocted to damage the government’s reputation.
The news of the alleged rape had gone viral on social media last week, leading to the arrest of a security guard from the college, who remains in custody as the investigation continues. However, Maryam Nawaz reiterated that there was no truth to the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has begun taking action against those spreading false information online about the alleged incident, which caused public unrest.
The father of the girl involved also denied the claims, stating that his daughter had not been raped but had injured herself in an accident at home, leading to her hospitalization. He condemned the protests, saying they were using his daughter’s name without justification and shared medical reports to confirm her condition.
