Fear rules supreme in Pak universities on Valentine's Day: Media

The conservatism in Pakistan universities is becoming more pronounced than ever on Valentine's Day as at several public universities in the country, wearing red on campus is unacceptable on February 14.

"Even if you and your male friend are accidentally seen wearing the same colour - not necessarily red - you are in hot water," Dawn quoted a Karachi University student as saying.

According to the Dawn, there is a similar sense of fear among women on campus of all universities.

At the University of Peshawar (UoP), "Most girls will stay at home on Tuesday and those who attend will ensure that they do not wear anything red," said journalism student Mamoona Akhtar.

At Punjab University (PU), IJT representatives started distributing pamphlets for the counter event, the Haya (modesty) Day' in advance.

Haya Day has been an annual event at campuses across Pakistan in the recent past. Every year, IJT activists hold rallies and discourage any Valentine's Day celebrations.

A student, Sana Naqvi, was quoted as saying, that members of the IJT Women's Wing begin visiting women's hostels in the run up to February 14, warning them against 'immoral' Valentine's Day activities.

"If anyone resists their ideology they get thrashed," she says, adding that the university administration turns a blind eye to such incidents.

Nazim Furqan Khalil, a member of Punjab University IJT, however, was in denial over the allegation of activists thrashing students or stopping others from celebrating the event.

"Valentine's Day does not match our culture and social norms. We [instead observe] Haya Day all over the country and organise walks, rallies and seminars for awareness," he said.

On Monday, the Islamabad High Court on Monday banned Valentine's Day celebrations across the country and its promotion on social media after accepting a petition which argued that it was un-Islamic.