Police Arrest Over 380 Student Protesters in Rawalpindi Amid Unrest Over Alleged Rape Case

Rawalpindi—Police have arrested more than 380 participants of student protests in Rawalpindi and filed cases against over 1,500 unidentified individuals, following demonstrations on Thursday against the alleged rape of a college student in Lahore. The protests, which sparked unrest across Punjab, resulted in injuries to police officers and significant property damage.

The students staged demonstrations despite the imposition of Section 144, which bans public gatherings. Protesters reportedly interfered with state affairs, damaged and set fire to properties, and hurled stones at police mobile vans. According to FIRs lodged at multiple police stations, including Airport, Gujjar Khan, Saddar (Wah), Morgah, and Naseerabad, the demonstrators also ransacked a hostel, pelting stones and damaging vehicles.

In response, police used tear gas to disperse the protesters and successfully evacuated teachers and staff who had been trapped inside a building.

To prevent further unrest, authorities have partially closed the road leading to Faizabad from Murree Road by placing containers, restricting movement in the area. The protests are part of a broader wave of demonstrations across Punjab, sparked by allegations of rape that circulated on social media, prompting widespread outrage among students.

Earlier in the week, violent protests in Lahore injured more than two dozen people, including four police officers. In response to the escalating situation, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced a crackdown on those spreading what she described as “fake news” about the alleged rape incident, stating that no victim had come forward.

Amid the turmoil, the provincial government ordered all educational institutions in Punjab to close on Friday, affecting approximately 26 million students, including adult learners. The provincial interior department has also imposed a ban on public gatherings for Friday and Saturday to maintain order.