Punjab University rejects allegations, alleges smear campaign

According to university spokesperson Dr. Khurram Shehzad, Punjab University has witnessed an unprecedented response to admissions this year, with more than

LAHORE: Punjab University has strongly denied allegations recently levelled by two former female athletes, describing the claims as part of a coordinated campaign aimed at damaging the institution’s reputation during its ongoing admissions season.

According to university spokesperson Dr. Khurram Shehzad, Punjab University has witnessed an unprecedented response to admissions this year, with more than 85,000 applications received for various academic programmes by July 31. The university also recorded its highest-ever participation in the entry test, while the application deadline remains August 4. He claimed that the institution’s success had prompted certain groups to launch what he termed a deliberate propaganda campaign.

The spokesperson said the controversy involving the two former sports students stemmed from disciplinary issues rather than the serious allegations circulated on social media. He maintained that the matter originated after a dispute between members of the girls’ sports hostel and disagreements related to team selection.

According to the university, the students were involved in repeated altercations with fellow athletes, prompting the hostel administration to initiate an inquiry. Pending the outcome of the investigation, the students concerned were instructed to vacate the hostel. However, the university alleged that they refused to comply and later became involved in another confrontation, after which police were called following an emergency complaint. The incidents led the hostel inquiry committee to hold emergency meetings and ultimately order the closure of the girls’ sports hostel.

The university further stated that one of the former athletes was not selected for the baseball team because of disciplinary concerns rather than sporting performance. It alleged that she later threatened to leave the university if she was not included in the squad and voluntarily applied to withdraw her original academic documents. During the document collection process, the university claims she, along with another former student and several others, attempted to pressure the administration by threatening to release a video portraying an alleged suicide attempt if their demands were not met.

Punjab University said both students voluntarily collected their academic documents and left the institution. It also claimed that one of them subsequently joined another university’s sports team while Punjab University went on to win the championship without her.

The university said it possesses evidence supporting its position and confirmed that faculty members, staff, and female students from the Department of Sports have submitted a formal complaint to the cybercrime authorities against the two former athletes and individuals allegedly involved in what it described as an organised campaign against the institution. The administration condemned attempts to use former students for what it called vested interests and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the university’s reputation through legal channels