Against the backdrop of the explosive political crisis that relates to proposed constitutional amendments, Pakistan is now haunted by a grim and highly mystifying situation that has sprung from an allegation of the rape of a college girl in Lahore.

But did it really happen? Investigations conducted by officials, investigative journalists and digital warriors have not been able to find any credible evidence of the incident. But reports that went viral in social media have created considerable confusion. Even the alleged victim was identified.

And, worryingly, violent protests have been held in a number of cities in Punjab while public concern about it has escalated. What did actually happen? Why has this allegation created so much unrest among university and college students?

Obviously, the allegation which would be truly disturbing if certified has become some kind of a catalyst at a time when many cases of harassment of young women, mainly students, have been reported. Besides, the young as such are angry and depressed about their prospects in the prevailing circumstances.

Anyhow, the mystery of it is confounded by the role that social media has played in its propagation. In fact, the allegation was initially planted in social media and it went viral. There are some interesting stories of how investigators were seen to be wandering around in the wilderness of social media in their search for the source of this report.

Pakistan is already struggling with issues of freedom and censorship in........

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