A view of University of Lahore campus. PHOTO COURTESY: uol.edu.pk
LAHORE:
A female student at the University of Lahore was critically injured on Monday after she allegedly attempted suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of a campus building, officials said, in the second such incident at the university in less than two weeks.
The student, identified as 21-year-old Fatima, was enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy programme. Initial reports said she jumped from the same spot from where another D-Pharmacy student, Muhammad Owais, had earlier jumped and died.
University and hospital sources said Fatima survived the fall but suffered critical injuries. She was first taken to the university’s teaching hospital for emergency treatment and later shifted to a private hospital on Defence Road due to the severity of her condition.
Hospital officials said the student is on a ventilator and remains in critical condition. She has sustained fractures to her arms, legs and ribs, along with serious head injuries. Doctors are conducting CT scans and other tests to assess internal damage. Once stabilised, she will be shifted to the Punjab Institute of Neurology for further treatment.
Read: Student suicide
The hospital administration said senior doctors from multiple departments are involved in her care and that all possible measures are being taken, though her condition remains serious.
Nawab Town police reached the scene soon after the incident and launched an investigation. “Initial investigation is under way to determine the reasons behind the incident,” a police official said.
Following the incident, the university suspended all on-campus academic activities indefinitely, citing student safety concerns. In a notification, the administration announced that physical classes had been cancelled and teaching would continue online from Monday. All entry and exit points were sealed as panic spread on campus.
University of Lahore Registrar Ali Aslam said the injured student’s condition had stabilised and she was now out of danger. “The student was admitted to the university in September,” he said.
Referring to an earlier incident involving student Awais Sultan, Aslam said an inquiry committee had been formed and had completed its investigation. He said Awais had maintained full attendance and secured a CGPA of 3.14 during his time at the university.
Aslam acknowledged speculation about incomplete coursework of Fatima but said no conclusions could be drawn. “The facts will become clear once the inquiry is concluded,” he said.
He also clarified the university’s scholarship policy, saying financial assistance is awarded at the time of admission and its continuation depends on a student’s performance in the first semester.
The incident has renewed concerns about student safety, mental health and institutional responsibility, particularly as both recent cases involved students from the D-Pharmacy department.
Read more: Student dies after falling from varsity building
Students expressed fear and anger over the recurring incidents and called for an independent inquiry. Many also demanded better mental health support, proper counselling services and stronger preventive measures on campus.
The university administration has not issued a detailed public statement on the causes of the incidents but said it is cooperating with authorities and prioritising student safety. Police are also examining whether negligence, academic pressure or other factors played a role.
Mental health experts say repeated incidents of this nature underline the urgent need for strong psychological support systems in educational institutions, including early identification of distress and accessible counselling services.
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