LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: Facing the dual challenge of a potential PTI agitation and ongoing student protests, the Punjab government has imposed a ban on all public gatherings and closed educational institutions throughout the province.
The PTI has called for nationwide protests today (Friday) in response to proposed constitutional amendments and the imprisonment of party founder Imran Khan, while protests by students over the alleged rape of a female college student in Lahore entered their fourth day on Thursday.
In a notification, the Punjab Home Department announced a two-day ban on protests, processions, and public activities, citing the enforcement of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure across Punjab. The restrictions will remain in effect on Friday and Saturday.
“In light of the prevailing law and order situation and threat perceptions, any form of protest or procession could provide an easy target for terrorists and miscreants, posing serious security threats and disrupting public peace and order,” the notification stated.
In recent months, both the federal and Punjab governments have frequently enforced Section 144 in response to PTI’s protest announcements.
Educational Institutions Closed
Separate notices from the Higher Education Department and School Education Department indicated that all public and private schools, colleges, and universities would remain closed today (Friday). Although the notifications did not specify the reason for the closures, a senior government official confirmed the decision was driven by escalating student protests.
Violent protests have erupted in several cities across Punjab since Monday, following social media reports of a female student allegedly being raped at a college in Lahore. However, an investigation team found no evidence supporting the rape claims, and the alleged victim and her family have denied the accusations.
Amid the growing unrest, the provincial government initiated a crackdown, leading to the arrest of hundreds of students in various cities for blocking roads, injuring security personnel, and committing acts of vandalism. The official explained that the failure of law enforcement to control the protests prompted the closure of educational institutions.
Protests Continue in Punjab
On Thursday, police arrested over 380 individuals as student protests spread to Rawalpindi, according to an official. Initially, around 150 protesters were detained for allegedly throwing stones and damaging public property, with an additional 200 arrests made later based on CCTV footage.
Many of those arrested “were not students,” the official claimed, raising doubts about the motivations behind the protests.
Groups of students, chanting slogans and holding placards, gathered outside private college campuses in Commercial Market Satellite Town, 6th Road Morgah, and Peshawar Road on Thursday. In Morgah, they blocked Jhelum Road, hurled stones at cars, and set fire to tires and college furniture. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse the crowds, arresting several protesters in the process. Students from Barani University in Rawalpindi also held protests on campus.
Following the demonstrations, a dozen police teams were formed to carry out further arrests, while six teams led by SP-ranked officers were assigned to investigate the detained protesters. Authorities are also looking into those allegedly inciting the protests on social media.
Eight cases were registered against the protesters at six police stations in Rawalpindi. The investigation has widened, with more arrests being made using CCTV footage, according to the Rawalpindi police chief.
Arrested Students Released
In Jhelum, a local magistrate ordered the release of around 50 students who were detained on Wednesday during protests. The students were arrested after a case was filed at Kala Gujran police station, accusing them of pelting stones at police officers. In addition to the 50 detained students, over 400 unidentified individuals were also charged, and 83 motorbikes allegedly belonging to the protesters were confiscated.
On Thursday, Magistrate Azhar Iqbal directed the police to drop the case and release the students immediately. Jhelum District Police Officer Nasir Mahmood Bajwa confirmed the release of all arrested students but stated that the prosecution would appeal the court’s decision. No protests occurred in Jhelum on Thursday, he added.
Meanwhile, Gujar Khan police arrested six college students for holding a protest, according to a source. Saddar Division SP Muhammad Nabil Khokhar stated that a case was being registered against the detained students.
WhatsApp Disruptions
Internet and WhatsApp services were disrupted in many areas on Thursday, as has been observed during previous PTI protests. Downdetector, a platform that tracks internet outages, reported that 44% of complaints were related to voice calls and 29% to sending and receiving messages.
The general belief was that the student protests in Punjab contributed to the disruptions, but slowdowns were also reported in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.
