Earlier, news surfaced that Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) imposed a ban on co-education in BS. (Hons) degree programs in private colleges all over the province. However, the news turned out to be fake.
News reports claimed that PHEC warned colleges that it will revoke their registration in case of violation of the order. According to the reports, PHEC asked private colleges to seek new NOC and apply for separate registration for boys and girls campuses before 28 February.
The news caused quite the storm in Pakistan. Netizens expressed concern and likened it to the current Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, they have enforced stricter laws, stating that the laws are a softer version of its harsh 1990’s rule.
Read more: Taliban administration protecting Shia Mosques
While the Taliban are making an effort to be more lenient, they did restrict women from attending schools and colleges. They later announced that women can continue their education. However, banned co-education across all universities.
According to Afghanistan’s Khaama Press, the Taliban banned co-education across all government and private universities in the Herat province, calling it the ‘root of all evils in society’ and girls and boys will not be able to sit in the same class.
Therefore, ever since the news of Pakistan also banning co-education broke, netizens have been alarmed. They began demanding confirmation of the news from government officials.
Responding to the concerns, Minister of Higher Education Punjab, Yassir Humayun, confirmed that no such decision is taken and education institutes will continue to operate as they were.
https://twitter.com/ShahabKhan_1/status/1489159284772544521?s=20&t=yhw-QLcZm6eTm_TjoysOyQ
Punjab did NOT ban co-education
Taking to Twitter, Yasir Humayun debunked the news and urged the media to stop spreading fake news.
“Higher Education Department hasn’t issued any notification about Co-Education in Colleges. Plz stop spreading fake news on Media,” Yasir Humayun tweeted.
Higher Education Department hasn't issued any notification about Co-Education in Colleges. Plz stop spreading fake news on Media.
— Raja Yassir Humayun Sarfraz (@RajaYassirHS) February 2, 2022
Taking cue from Yassir Humayun, government spokesperson Azhar Mashwani also shared the news and debased the reports.
— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) February 2, 2022
Interestingly, Akmal Soomro, the 24News reporter who broke the news, continues to stand by his claim. In fact, he has shared a screenshot of the checklist for private colleges to corroborate the claim.
Sir this is check list and read the column #28. pic.twitter.com/rLYtKgQgJR
— Akmal Soomro (@akmalsoomroCNN) February 3, 2022