Punjab Closes Schools Amid Student Protests and PTI Unrest

In response to ongoing student protests over an alleged on-campus rape, the Punjab government in Pakistan has shut down all educational institutions across the province for two days and imposed a ban on public gatherings. The protests erupted after reports spread online about the alleged incident at a private college in Lahore, with authorities denying the occurrence and accusing social media of misinformation. Despite these denials, student-led demonstrations have spread to multiple cities, including Rawalpindi, where clashes with the police resulted in the arrest of hundreds. The unrest coincides with planned protests by the PTI against constitutional amendments, prompting authorities to enforce Section 144, restricting public assembly. The closures affect approximately 26 million students, reflecting widespread concerns about safety and mistrust in the authorities' handling of sexual assault cases. The situation remains tense as students demand justice while the government attempts to maintain order.