The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has released a report stating that there is no evidence regarding last month’s alleged rape case at Lahore Punjab Group of colleges.
The report further states that without forensic evidence or credible testimonies, it is impossible to verify the widespread allegations that a student was sexually assaulted at a private college in Lahore last month.
The report indicates a series of events that have deepened the suspicion and distrust among students, stemming from unverified social media allegations, conflicting statements from government officials, and a delayed response from the college administration.
On October 14, students protested for justice for the alleged victim, but they faced a heavy-handed police response. The HRCP also condemned the use of “disproportionate force” against the protesting students, which added fuel to fire and increased frustration.
The report also suggested that some individuals may have exploited the students’ narrative to increase their own social media presence.
During these events, students expressed their dissatisfaction with campus security and perceived harassment, leading to a lack of trust in both the college administration and police.
The HRCP report recommends a forensic investigation of CCTV footage from Campus 10 during the early weeks of October and accountability for police actions against the student protesters. It also highlights the importance of taking allegations of harassment and sexual violence seriously and discusses the establishment of effective anti-harassment committees on all campuses that respect students’ confidentiality.
