Nursing student in Lahore survives suicide attempt, claims abuse by director

LAHORE: Just days after Lahore witnessed chaos due to protests over alleged reports of the rape of a student, a first-year nursing student at Fatima Jinnah Medical University survived an alleged suicide attempt, with the institution’s female director accused of abuse and intimidation.

The student has since appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene in the case and take action against the principal.

Iman Fatima, who hails from Gujranwala and is studying nursing at the university’s College of Nursing and Midwifery, was rescued by fellow nurses on Sunday when she allegedly tried to cut her jugular vein.

According to Tahira Sagheer, Punjab’s director general of nursing, the student’s alleged suicide attempt stemmed from the conduct of the institution’s director, who allegedly resorted to insulting words, intimidation and character assassination.

Sagheer added that the student – ​​who hails from Gujranwala and was studying nursing at the University of Lahore – had applied for leave from the principal.

According to the DG Nursing, the student has submitted an application to the Health Minister seeking action against the director, for which the hearing will take place today.

“The principal, students and eyewitnesses have all been summoned in connection with the case. If the allegations are found to be true, action will be taken,” Sagheer said.

Meanwhile, the student alleged character assassination at the hands of the principal, who used insulting words and harassed her.

“The principal behaves like this with every girl including me,” she alleged, adding that the college administration neither informed her parents about her injury nor allowed them to meet her.

“I took this step after the principal humiliated me and defamed my character,” the student said. “She’s been harassing me for six months.”

The incident comes to light days after ongoing unrest in Punjab, especially in Lahore, over rape allegations that went viral on social media platforms, prompting students to hold multiple demonstrations in several cities in recent days.

More than 20 people, including four police officers, were injured in violent protests in Lahore last week.

The agitation eventually warranted a strong response from CM Maryam, who, while speaking to the media on October 16, announced a crackdown on those spreading fake news about the rape of a student.