On September 29, 2024, clashes broke out between members of the Punjabi Students Council and the Pakhtun Students Council at Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad. The clashes injured at least 25 students from both groups.

The clashes took place late on September 29 after members of the Punjabi Students Council beat Muzammil Marwat, a member of the Pakhtun Students Council, causing head injuries. Following reports of the attack, several dozen members of the Punjabi Students Council gathered at a student hostel with sticks and iron rods. Meanwhile, around 300 students led by the Pakhtun Students Council gathered at the cafeteria, also with sticks and rods, before attacking the hostel where the Punjabi students were gathered. The fight lasted for about 40 minutes before police intervened and deescalated the situation.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about violent attacks by students against other students in retaliation for their exercise of their rights to freedom of association and expression. Scholars at Risk calls on all parties to exercise restraint and to avoid violence. State authorities have the right and obligation to maintain order, which they must with due regard for the rights of protesters and others, including the rights to free expression, academic freedom, peaceful assembly, and due process.

Sources:
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2499572/qau-violence-leaves-25-students-injured
https://www.dawn.com/news/1861979
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1235187-over-25-injured-in-clash-between-two-student-groups-at-qau