Police investigating the suicide attempt by a student of a private university in Lahore have said initial findings point to a personal dispute linked to a failed attempt at a marriage of choice.

The first-semester pharmacy student, identified as 21-year-old Fatima, remains under treatment at Lahore General Hospital, where her condition has shown marked improvement.

According to police sources, Fatima wanted to marry a young man named Ahmed from her hometown, Narang Mandi, but her family opposed the proposal and urged her to continue her studies.

Investigators said the disagreement appeared to have contributed to her decision to attempt suicide.

Police said Fatima last spoke to Ahmed by phone for 27 minutes after arriving at the university on Monday.

Investigators added that she deleted his contact number shortly before jumping from the second floor of the campus building.

Call detail records have been obtained as part of the investigation.

Lahore police have taken Ahmed into custody from Narang Mandi for questioning.

Officials said his statement is being recorded and the investigation is ongoing to determine the sequence of events leading up to the incident.

Statements from Fatima’s family have also been recorded, while her own statement will be taken once investigators receive medical clearance.

Meanwhile, the special medical board overseeing Fatima’s treatment at Lahore General Hospital has been reconstituted and expanded from four to seven members.

Senior doctors, including Professor of Medicine Dr Khurram Saleem, Head of Pulmonology Dr Javed Mughal, and Associate Professor of Gynecology Dr Saira Zeeshan, have been added to the board.

Providing an update on her condition, Chairman of the Medical Board Professor Jodat Saleem said Fatima has been taken off the ventilator and is now breathing on her own, with oxygen support continuing. He said her haemodynamic condition is stable and she has regained full consciousness, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14 out of 15.

Hospital officials said Fatima has spoken with her family, while the neurosurgical team remains on alert.

A further review will be conducted to assess the need for possible spinal surgery. Professor Jodat Saleem has also briefed Principal Ameer-ud-Din Medical College Professor Farooq Afzal on the student’s treatment so far and the planned course of care.

Police said the investigation remains underway and further action will be taken in light of medical and forensic findings.