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| - Lahore College Rape Allegations Found to Be Fabricated, No Evidence Supports Claims!
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The alleged rape of a schoolgirl in Pakistan serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of spreading false information through social media. posts and videos related to this incident spread rapidly, not only within Pakistan but also in other countries. Ultimately, the situation resulted in property damage and the tragic loss of life, all based on unfounded claims. Below is an investigation conducted to uncover the truth behind this series of events.
Social Media Posts :
In mid-October 2024, social media platforms erupted with allegations that a college student at a private institution in Lahore had been raped on campus. A video linked to the incident quickly went viral, with claims suggesting that the authorities were ignoring the case or deliberately hiding the facts.
We decided to do a fact-check on this.
Fact-Check :
On Thursday, at least 250 students were arrested in Rawalpindi for violent protests sparked by an alleged rape on a college campus in Lahore. The demonstrations, which originated in Punjab province, quickly spread to other cities.
The unrest began on Monday, the 18th, across at least four campuses of the privately-owned Punjab Group of Colleges after social media reports surfaced, alleging that a female student had been raped by a security guard in the basement of the Gulberg girls' campus in Lahore.
By Wednesday, the 20th, protests intensified, with students rallying in Jehlum, Faisalabad, and Gujrat, demanding justice for the victim.
On Thursday, the 21st, the protests had reached several districts including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Gujrat, Attock, Sargodha, and Vehari. In Rawalpindi, student demonstrators vandalized a college building, prompting the police to use tear gas for crowd control. Authorities later confirmed that 250 students had been detained.
No CCTV or Hospital Records Provide Evidence of Alleged Incident
Police reported that while interrogating the arrested security guard, they were unable to identify or locate the alleged rape victim, and no family members came forward to file a report. CCTV footage and hospital records yielded no clues.
Parents' Statement: No Rape Allegation
A video of a girl went viral on social media, with claims she was the victim. In response, Lahore’s Defence A police registered an FIR. However, the girl’s parents denied the rape allegations, stating that she had been hospitalized from October 2-11 due to a fall at home. They accused those sharing the video of trying to tarnish her reputation.
The father of the alleged victim appeared in a video to clarify the situation. He explained that his daughter had suffered a domestic injury at home, resulting in a back sprain that required hospitalization. He expressed surprise at the ongoing protests and mentioned that they had shared medical reports regarding her condition with the police.
The father urged students to stop sharing his daughter's pictures online, as it was causing further distress for the family.
The incident does not exist: Punjab Group of Colleges
Senior directors of the Punjab Group of Colleges stated on Wednesday that there is no evidence supporting claims of a rape on campus, which have led to days of protests.
“The incident does not exist. I will resign from my position and stand with the students if it turns out that something did happen,” declared Arif Chaudry, the director of the women’s college within the group, during a press conference.
Agha Tahir Ijaz, another director, echoed this sentiment, urging students not to believe misinformation.
Maryam Nawaz, Punjab's first woman Chief Minister
On Wednesday, Maryam Nawaz, Punjab's first woman Chief Minister, dismissed allegations of an on campus rape incident at a Lahore college as fabricated. She accused the party of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan of using these false claims to incite widespread student protests and foster unrest in the province. Nawaz also called for Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) party to be treated like "banned organizations" in the country.
"No Eyewitnesses"
The Chief Minister asserted there were no eyewitnesses, stating, "the incident does not exist." She introduced a girl whose viral video claimed to witness the alleged incident, but Maryam revealed the girl was not from the relevant campus and had merely heard about it from others.
The girl clarified, “I was made an eyewitness when I said that kids had heard it. I never claimed to have seen it myself.”
Maryam also introduced Dr. Shabnam Gul, a professor and former head of the harassment committee, who stated she was removed from her position after her video went viral. Dr. Gul explained that she attempted to calm students and suggested they speak with the vice chancellor, but she was unaware of the protests until they erupted.
Concluding her remarks, the Chief Minister requested the Lahore High Court investigate the situation, urging that those spreading rumors be held accountable. For more information, please refer to the full article covering the hearing details. Click here
Role of Social Media and Misinformation
The viral nature of the original posts and videos on social media amplified the misinformation surrounding this case. Multiple unverified accounts suggested that the authorities were neglecting the case or covering up the incident. These claims, however, have been thoroughly debunked by official investigations and statements from both the student’s family and Punjab government officials.
While the speed and reach of social media allowed false information to spread quickly, the actual investigation found no evidence of a crime. Misinformation like this can have serious consequences, which is why authorities have called for responsible sharing of information online.
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