Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a crackdown on those spreading false information about an alleged rape of a girl at a private college in Lahore.
Protests erupted in multiple cities this week, with students demanding justice for the supposed victim. However, authorities confirmed that no rape had occurred, and the girl's family also denied the claims.
During a press conference, CM Maryam Nawaz stated that the crackdown should target anyone spreading misinformation, regardless of their political affiliation.
She said that the former ruling parties, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), were spreading lies to create unrest, especially during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The chief minister called PTI a "terrorist organization" and expressed concern for the harm caused to the girl and her family due to the false claims.
She stated that there was a "vile and dangerous plan" behind the protests and pledged to hold those responsible accountable.
A high-level committee formed by the Punjab government reported that the girl had not been raped and that she was injured at home. The police filed a report against those spreading misinformation on social media.
The issue gained attention after students protested on Monday, leading to clashes with police and injuries on both sides. The protests continued into Tuesday and Wednesday across the province.
According to the police report, rumors of the alleged rape spread widely on social media, but the girl and her family denied the incident. They clarified that she fell at home on October 2 and was treated for her injuries at local hospitals.
In a video, her father and uncle, wearing masks, stated that there had been no sexual assault and expressed surprise at the protests being held in her name. They explained that she was in the ICU for a back injury from her fall.