The Federal Investigation Agency in Pakistan has registered cases against 36 individuals accused of spreading misinformation on social media about an alleged rape case. Despite authorities, including the woman’s parents and the province’s chief minister, denying any assault took place, Punjab police are urging people to share information about the alleged rape. Student protests demanding justice for the woman have erupted, with skepticism towards the college and police due to the changing narrative surrounding the assault. Student unions have been banned in Pakistan since 1984, with calls for them to be reinstated to help resolve such matters peacefully. Cases of sexual abuse in educational institutions are common in Pakistan, but the response to such incidents by authorities, police, and the media often exacerbates the issue. The Sustainable Social Development Organization reported a high number of rape cases in Pakistan, with a majority occurring in Punjab, the most populous province. Social stigmas and underreporting likely mean the actual number of cases is even higher. These protests come shortly after another gang rape case during a polio vaccination drive in southern Sindh province, where the victim faced backlash from her husband for reporting the assault.
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