Female students enrolled in colleges across Punjab will have to wear scarf under a new policy, said a provincial minister on Tuesday.

Syed Raza Ali Gilani, the provincial higher education minister, said it was his duty to take such measures as it is "the duty of every Muslim".

"We are leaving our religion behind, and are forgetting culture and ethics. Hence, I have made the hijab compulsory for our women and sisters in colleges."

"I have also made a policy for it, if your attendance falls below 60pc then we will give five per cent attendance to those girls who wear a hijab," added Gilani.

The Punjab government had earlier said no such policy was under consideration. "The views expressed by the minister does not reflect government's policy," said a spokesman.

ترجمان حکومت پنجاب نے کہا ہے کہ حجاب کے بارے میں وزیر ہائیر ایجوکیشن کے بیان کا حکومت پنجاب کی پالیسی سے کوئی تعلق نہیں pic.twitter.com/MzZa58kYgZ

— Govt Of The Punjab (@GovtOfPunjab) March 14, 2017