LAHORE: Academic activist Dr Ammar Ali Jan has escaped arrest during a student solidarity protest in Lahore, after the city administration issued arrest warrants under Section 3 (power to arrest and detain suspected persons) of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.
A large number of students, rights activists and supporters from various walks of life held protests in Lahore and Islamabad to present a charter of demands including the restoration of student unions and better education facilities.
The events were organized by an alliance of organizations under the banner of “Student Action Committee (SAC)” as part of coordinated ‘student solidarity marches’ in towns and cities across Pakistan.
According to details, the activist left the protest venue in a car which was followed by a police van. Jan’s vehicle was stopped by law enforcement officials at Gulberg Main Boulevard, from where he was taken to a police check post.
After negotiations, Ammar Ali Jan was allowed to leave after the assurance that he would appear before the SHO of the Civil Lines police station within two hours.
The arrest warrants stated that Jan was a potential danger to public peace, law and order situation and must be detained in order to keep the law and order situation in the city. “There is credible information that Jan, along with his accomplices, will create law and order situation and cause harassment among the general public,” the order read.
The protesters, carrying banners and placards, demanded accountability of higher education administrations, the institutionalization of laws against sexual harassment and a commitment from the state to provide affordable education to all.
They also demanded universal internet access, adequate accommodation, formation of sexual harassment committees on the campus, and an immediate end to ongoing physical exams and tests like MDCAT during the 2nd wave of coronavirus.
