University closed after female student’s death in bus accident in Multan

Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture (MNSUA) in Multan has been closed for two days after protests erupted over the death of 21-year-old Minahil, a 5th-semester biochemistry student, who was fatally struck by a university bus on Monday.

Minahil was riding her motorcycle when she collided with a bus approaching from the opposite direction.

The accident occurred inside the campus, and she died on the spot.

Rescue officials confirmed that her body was taken to Nishtar Hospital.

Following the incident, a large number of students gathered outside the university, chanting slogans against the administration and demanding accountability for the tragedy.

In response, the university administration decided to close the campus for two days in mourning.

A university spokesperson expressed deep sorrow over Minahil's death, stating that the closure was a mark of respect. The bus driver involved, identified as Aamir, has been suspended and is currently under investigation.

Shah Shams Police Station House Officer (SHO) Rao Mehtab stated that Minahil’s father informed the police that he did not wish to lodge a formal complaint. However, the police will begin an investigation if a formal application is submitted.

MNSUA spokesperson Riaz Hiraj provided further details about the incident, explaining that the accident occurred at 8:30 am Minahil, who was reportedly driving at a high speed, lost control of her motorcycle after seeing the bus, leading to the collision.

Resultantly, she was run over by the bus and died on the spot, he added.

The university spokesperson added that CCTV footage of the accident was shown to Minahil’s parents, and her father acknowledged that the bus driver was not at fault. “We have the CCTV footage of the accident. We showed it to his parents and after watching it, the father admitted that the bus driver was not at fault,” he explained.

Riaz Hiraj also stated that Minahil had suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle accident a month ago in the Cantt area.

Despite the university's closure, protests have intensified as students demand better safety measures and accountability from the administration.

The incident has attracted attention on social media. According to eyewitnesses, Minahil’s body remained in the scorching sun for three hours, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, as the university waited for the Vice-Chancellor to arrive.

Minahil’s father, devastated by the loss of his only child, begged to receive her body, but instead, he was allegedly pressured into signing documents to suppress the details of the incident.

Students and family members report that the university administration attempted to silence the tragedy, pressuring those involved not to pursue legal action.

Furthermore, some students who protested the administration’s handling of the situation were threatened with academic penalties, including expulsion and failing grades.