Lahore: The Lahore High Court heard a petition regarding harassment incidents in educational institutions, where Chief Justice Aalia Neelum expressed concerns over the failure to prevent the spread of a viral video related to the case. The Inspector General (IG) Punjab, Usman Anwar, appeared in court and faced tough questions regarding the delay in contacting relevant authorities, such as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), to stop the video’s circulation.
Chief Justice Neelum criticized the authorities, pointing out that despite the video going viral on October 13 and 14, action was delayed until significant damage was done. She questioned why children were allowed to protest on the streets and highlighted the IG’s lack of swift intervention, noting that authorities acted only on October 16, far too late.
The IG Punjab explained that over 700 accounts had been identified spreading the video, but stopping the spread of such data is challenging, especially given limited police resources. However, the Chief Justice emphasized that such failures reflect poorly on the authorities, especially when children’s safety is compromised. She demanded a detailed account of the actions taken on October 14 and 15, questioning the lack of immediate response.
During the proceedings, Advocate General Punjab and other officials provided updates on the investigation, including reports of a rumored rape incident at a private college. However, they clarified that the rumors were largely baseless, as no victim had come forward despite extensive investigations.
Chief Justice Neelum concluded by stressing the importance of immediate action in such cases to protect children and restore public confidence, warning that future inaction could further damage both public trust and the educational environment.
The hearing was adjourned following these remarks, with a directive for authorities to submit a comprehensive report on their efforts.
