PAKISTAN, Oct 18* — In response to student protests following allegations of a campus rape, authorities in Punjab have ordered all educational institutions to close today, affecting around 26 million learners. 

Protests erupted in Lahore after reports emerged that a female student was raped in the basement of a Punjab College for Women. While police and officials claim no victim has come forward, demonstrators accuse authorities of covering up the incident. 

The closures were announced without directly addressing the rape allegations or the protests, and gatherings have been banned for the weekend. 

Students, primarily male, have expressed deep concerns about safety and harassment on campuses, leading to violent clashes with police and property damage. A security guard has been arrested in connection with the incident, but officials maintain that the claims remain unverified. 

Punjab’s education director denied the incident's occurrence and stated he would resign if proven true, while the provincial chief minister vowed to penalize those spreading misinformation.