LAHORE: A tragic incident occurred at the University of Lahore on Monday when a 21-year-old female student allegedly attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of a campus building. The student, identified as Fatima, enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy programme, sustained critical injuries. This marks the second alarming event of its kind at the university in less than two weeks.
According to initial reports, Fatima jumped from the same location where another D-Pharmacy student, Muhammad Owais, had previously taken his life. While Fatima survived the fall, she suffered severe injuries and was initially treated at the university’s teaching hospital before being transferred to a private hospital on Defence Road for further care.
Medical personnel revealed that Fatima is currently on a ventilator in critical condition, having sustained fractures to her arms, legs, and ribs, alongside significant head trauma. Comprehensive scans and tests are being conducted to assess internal injuries. Once her condition is stable, doctors plan to transfer her to the Punjab Institute of Neurology for specialized treatment. Senior physicians across multiple departments are actively involved in her care, though concerns over her recovery remain high.
Following the incident, Nawab Town police arrived at the scene and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case. A police official stated that authorities were still working to ascertain the causes behind the tragedy. Meanwhile, the university suspended all on-campus academic activities indefinitely in response to heightened safety concerns. Teaching has been shifted online, and access to campus has been restricted amidst growing unease among students.
Ali Aslam, the University of Lahore’s registrar, assured that Fatima’s condition had begun to stabilize. He stated that she was no longer in immediate danger and noted that she had only recently joined the university in September. Regarding allegations of academic distress or unfinished coursework potentially linked to the incident, Aslam refrained from addressing specifics, emphasizing that clarity would come after thorough inquiry. He mentioned that financial assistance through scholarships is awarded based on performance in the first semester.
Students have expressed growing apprehension and frustration over these incidents, demanding a transparent investigation and enhanced mental health support systems within the campus. Calls for accessible counselling services and robust preventive measures have grown louder as fears of inadequate institutional backing fuel criticism of administrative response.
Authorities are now investigating whether external factors like academic pressure or institutional negligence contributed to these occurrences. While the university administration has yet to provide a detailed explanation regarding the causes, it assured cooperation with investigators and underscored their commitment to prioritizing student welfare.
