LAHORE: A group of female students will hold ‘All Women Peace March’ on Friday (today) against the backdrop of a clash between two groups of students at the Punjab University.
The demonstration will take place outside the Punjab Assembly between 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm against what is being seen as a surge in violence in educational institutions.
Female students from various universities including Government College University, Punjab University, Kinnaird College for Women, King Edward Medical University and Fatima Jinnah Medical University will participate in the protest.
The march will be held under the flagship of Women’s Collective- a rights forum for female students with chapters in various universities.
“We have called for this march to register our concern regarding the violent clashes in the university that adversely affect our academic activities. Therefore, as responsible and equal students, we demand the restoration of peace in the universities so that we can attain education without any fear of violence,” Amnah Fawad from PU said while talking to Pakistan Today.
Many others said that they are worried about the students being charged with terrorism related offences which has tarnished the image of students. They maintained that it is the need of the hour that the female students come ahead and present their narrative on these issues through peaceful means.
“When we get the admission in a university, we enter with a commitment that we will not let our country’s half populace suffer from intellectual, academic and professional paralysis. All Women Peace March is our collective attempt to thwart the possibility of that happening by reclaiming our commitments,” a business student, Aamna Shahid told the scribe.
“We must not be considered as weak and passive, and this march is to peacefully convey this message,” a GCU student Maria Arshad said.
Earlier this week, a series of violent conflicts had erupted between two student groups in Punjab University. The clashes left many students severely injured. Many contingents of police were deployed at the campus, after which as many as 190 students were arrested from both the campus and hostels of the varsity. First Information Reports (FIR) were registered against the students including charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and sent to jail on a 14-day judicial remand.
