The Punjab government has decided to reinstate the registration of a private college in Lahore that was suspended following unconfirmed reports of an alleged rape incident involving a female student.
Sources say that the notification to restore the college's licence will be issued soon, after which academic activities will resume at the Gulberg campus.
Sources in the education department say that the college’s registration had been suspended on Oct 14 after orders from the Punjab education minister. The registration was suspended pending an impartial investigation into the incident, they added.
This decision was made in response to protests from agitated students who demanded the suspension of the college’s registration amid the ongoing controversy.
Also Read: Student rape case: Punjab govt cancels registration of college campus
The Punjab Education Department has informed the management of the private college about the decision to restore its registration.
On Oct 14, Lahore witnessed intense protests after enraged students stormed the Gulberg campus of a private college following reports of the alleged rape of a female student. The incident led to violent clashes between the students and the police, leaving 27 people injured, including five police officers.
The protests began when students, angered by the news of an alleged rape of their fellow student, broke into the college campus, damaging property and setting fire to belongings. The college administration had closed the gates and suspended classes to prevent the students from leaving, but the situation quickly escalated as students forcibly broke through the gates.
Also Read: 10 students injured in clash with police over college girl's rape
When police arrived on the scene to control the situation, the clash between the law enforcement officers and students turned violent. In the ensuing confrontation, 27 individuals, including students and police personnel, sustained injuries. Rescue teams rushed to the scene to provide medical assistance.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat arrived at the campus to engage in discussions with the protesters. However, tensions remained high as the students entered the college premises along with the minister and began vandalizing classrooms.
The minister assured the protesters that their demands would be met and that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the alleged rape.
Later, the Punjab Education Department suspended the registration of the private college's Gulberg campus. Protests also spread to other campuses of the college, including Muslim Town and Airline Society, where students demonstrated against the alleged incident.
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