Punjab Police draw ire over ‘racial profiling’ of Baloch, Pashtun students

By
Rabia Malik
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  • Police post ‘Real Terrorism’ list that contains pictures, names of Pashtun, Baloch students on official website, later deletes it

LAHORE: The Punjab Police on Wednesday removed from its official website a list of ‘Real Terrorism’ that contained pictures and names of Punjab University students, mostly Pashtuns and Balochs, after an uproar on the social media.

The ‘Real Terrorism’ list was posted on Tuesday, drawing severe criticism from students and civil society activists, who termed the police’s move as ‘racial profiling’ of students belonging to ethnic communities.

When Pakistan Today contacted Syed Nayab Haider, the chief spokesman of the Punjab Police, on Wednesday to inquire about the list, the latter refused to comment, feigning ignorance about the issue. Interestingly, the list was soon after mysteriously removed from the website without any explanation.

Talking to Pakistan Today, PU Pashtun Council Chairman Alamgir Wazir lamented that the police had named the students in the list, despite the court absolving them of all charges, including terrorism.

“Most of the students were in Waziristan when the police put their names on its official website,” he said.

He further claimed that the Pashtun Council was in talks with Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leaders Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar.

“We have asked for their support as now they are also members-elect of the National Assembly,” he said, claiming that they have assured them of their support.

“We will protest against the discriminatory attitude of the police,” he said.

Earlier this year, the PU became a battlefield as clashes erupted between two student unions — Islami Jamiat Taleba (IJT) and Baloch Pashtun Students Union — soon after the Pioneer Festival.

Following the incident, as many as 37 students were suspended by the PU administration. The university later announced that it would admit only those students from Balochistan who were recommended by the provincial government.

The Punjab Police’s recent move had also drawn an ire of social media users.

One of the Twitter users wrote: “Now Punjab police uploaded name and picture of a few students of Balochistan in Real Terrorism’s category along with other notorious criminals on their official website.#PunjabUniversity#ShamePunjabPolice.#PashtunLongMarch2Swabi @a_siab @GulBukhari @Xadeejournalist @mazdaki”

Another wrote: “Now Punjab police uploaded name and picture of a few students in Real Terrorism’s category along with other notorious criminals on their official website.
I guess all Punjab want is we should leave Lahore? Alright but it will start something you will regret later”

Another user criticised the move, saying that “Punjab police uploaded names with picture of few #Baloch students from #PunjabUniversity in Real Terrorism’s category along with other notorious criminals on their official website. A clear cut to deprive Baloch students from higher education. #Shame #PunjabUniversity”

Punjab police uploaded names with picture of few #Baloch students from #PunjabUniversity in Real Terrorism’s category along with other notorious criminals on their official website. A clear cut to deprive Baloch students from higher education. #Shame #PunjabUniversity pic.twitter.com/mtlw6e5qf8

— Ahsan Rizvi (@AhsanAbbasShah) August 7, 2018

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