Pakistani students clash over Valentine's Day
2/14/2014PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistani police say two rival student groups have clashed at a university in the country’s northwest over celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Police official Raheem Hussain says today's violence erupted at the University of Peshawar when dozens of students from a liberal group rallied in favor of the romantic holiday.
Their rally was taking place at the same location where conservative students had gathered to promote a “Modesty Day” instead.
Hussain says both sides threw stones at each other, and some students even fired into the air. Four people were hurt.
Conservatives in Pakistan every year call for people to boycott Valentine’s Day, saying it’s a Western-inspired event that spreads vulgarity.
But the holiday is still widely celebrated in Pakistan where people buy flowers, pink teddy bears and heart-shaped balloons.