Did police raid LUMS after students grilled PM Kakar? In a swift response to circulating rumors, Punjab Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar has vehemently denied reports suggesting that the police raided Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) following a session where students posed probing questions to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar.
Dismissing the claims as “fake,” the Punjab Police chief clarified that no such directives were issued to any law enforcement official.
The controversy began shortly after Prime Minister Kakar visited the university, during which he faced tough student inquiries.
Also read: Caretaker PM Kakar grilled by LUMS students with difficult questions
One student expressed regret over the prime minister’s tardy arrival, a concern promptly addressed by Kakar.
Subsequent questions from other students touched on topics such as the delay in elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and concerns about decisions made by the interim government.
The Punjab government should refrain from taking any action against students of #LUMS. They have every right to freedom of speech and expression. Asking questions isn’t a crime. Youth are the pillars of society, the backbone of the nation and the hope of the future. #سانحہ_لمز pic.twitter.com/bfH7T6mxsN
— Nosheen Saeed (@stickwithchick) October 31, 2023
Fact check: Did police raid LUMS after students grilled PM Kakar? Watch the video:
IG Punjab Message regarding Fake News of Police Raid on #LUMS University#سانحہ_لمز #سانحہ_31اکتوبر_ہم_نہی_بھولے pic.twitter.com/SLsEqA9AP7
— Safe City (@PSCAsafecities) November 1, 2023
Despite the heated exchange of questions and answers, IG Usman Anwar emphasized that the videos circulating on social media depicting a police raid at LUMS were baseless.
He characterized the footage as a deliberate attempt to tarnish the prime minister’s visit to the esteemed institution.
A concerned social media user voiced support for the students, asserting their fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.
The user stressed that asking challenging questions is not a criminal act and highlighted the crucial role of youth as the bedrock of society, the nation’s backbone, and the hope for the future.
The incident underscores the importance of open dialogue and freedom of expression within educational institutions, while also raising questions about the responsible use of social media platforms to disseminate accurate information.
As the nation observes these developments, the focus remains on upholding democratic values and encouraging constructive discourse among its citizens.
