Did the Punjab government really announce a ban on co-education and then after backlash called it fake news?

What’s happening now: Akmal Soomro on February 3, shared a screenshot of a notification stating, “The ban on co-education has been lifted and co-education has been allowed in private colleges in Punjab.” The uncertainty still remains, as there have been instances where the government had reverted back on its decisions after backlash. Subsequently, according to sources, the journalist had taken the screenshot of the affidavit from the Government of Punjab’s official website, which was deleted later. In an exclusive interview with ProperGaanda, senior Barrister Ahmad Pansota claimed, “Government’s decision, if any, to ban co-education system in private colleges will have damning and irreparable effects. It is imperative to normalize the co-existence of females with males.”

What do the sources claim? After reaching out to a few renowned journalists who were closely following this development, it was concluded that the ban on co-education was indeed in the government’s plans; however, the backlash on different social media platforms forced the government to revert its decision. On the other hand, Azhar Mashwani in another interview with ProPakistani stated,  “The notification/Affidavit circulating is from 2008, and the news of ban on co-education is fake.”  Whereas, sources close to the development claimed otherwise,  “The Chakwal ban on co-education, SNC is a prime example of government reverting decision after receiving backlash.” 

Back-story: Various journalists along with renowned shared the details of the ban on co-education in Chakwal first earlier in Chakwal, and then the Punjab government planned to expand it to other cities in Punjab. One of the renowned journalists refused to be named in an exclusive interview with ProperGaanda. Still, he said, “ Khan’s government or to put it in better words, U-turn Khan’s government often reverts back their decision after receiving backlash.”  In December, the Deputy District Education Officer announced to ban co-education but later, the higher-ups disapproved of the notification. Earlier in January, another notification and Murad Raas’s statement about a dress code to be followed in the schools and colleges. 

What you need to know: The PTI-led federal government has been taking u-turns since they came to power, as suggested by various reports. Currently, the decision to ban co-education in private colleges offering BS (Hons) degrees was reported by various local publications, namely “GNN,” “24 News,” and “City 42.” However, the Minister for Higher Education & Information Technology, Raja Yassir, on February 3 tweeted,  “Higher Education Department hasn’t issued any notification about Co-Education in Colleges. Plz stop spreading fake news on Media.” 

Also: Another member of PTI InsafYouthWing and CM’s Focal Person, Azhar Mashwani, tweeted about the media outlets spreading fake news. On the other hand, writer and journalist for 24 News, Akmal Soomro, in his Twitter thread, shared a checklist in which column 28 read, “Separate boys & girls block. Affidavit it for no co-education..” Further clarifying his stance, Akmal Soomro in his thread, wrote, “DPI office is solely responsible for issuing NOC. NoC policy don’t allow co-education at colleges…” It is pertinent to mention that Akmal Soomro broke the story on February 2, before other media outlets picked it up, and after almost 10 hours the focal person to CM Punjab on Digital Media clarified that it has not been banned.

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