Security concerns continue to loom large

Educational institutes in Hangu forced to close down

HANGU/ SWAT/ ABBOTABAD: Schools and universities in various parts of the province have been closed due to security reasons. Security arrangements at other institutes have been reviewed to stave off any untoward situation.

Educational institutes remained closed on Tuesday in different parts of Hangu district which share a border with Kurram Agency and Orakzai Agency.

Hangu District Education Officer Muhammad Shaukat told The Express Tribune suspects forced them to close the schools. According to Hangu DC Naseem Khan, schools have been receiving threats for a long time.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune 18 primary schools, five higher secondary schools and two middle schools are currently closed in Doaba, Darsamandar and Tora Wari union councils.

Teachers and principals of various schools have decided to keep the schools closed until they are provided proper security.

Roshan Ali Khan, principal of Government Degree College Hangu, told The Express Tribune security arrangements at schools and colleges are inadequate.

“A security guard cannot protect a school,” he said.

Closed for a week

Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST) has also been closed for a week due to security concerns

According to the police, AUST was among 22 places declared sensitive by provincial home department and local security advisory committee.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune, AUST did not have adequate security measures. This could put thousands of students at risk.

“The university is now closed for one week,” Dr Ayub Jadoon, a registrar at the varsity, said. The registrar dispelled speculations that AUST had been closed due to threats from militants.

“The boundary wall of the university has been completed,” he said. “Construction work on the main gate and installation of security cameras and barbed wire is under way and would be completed by next week.”

According to Jadoon, students have been sent home to prepare for exams scheduled for February.

“AUST has 25 security guards,” he said. “Five police personnel have also been deployed on a permanent basis.”

Taking stock

Owing to insufficient and improper security arrangements, Peshawar police have registered cases against the heads of 200 private and government-run schools in the district.

Amid concerns over security, efforts have been made to review safety arrangements at schools.

Malakand Division DIG Azad Khan and DPO Swat Muhammad Saleem Marwat visited University of Swat on Tuesday to assess security arrangements.

The university’s registrar, Mehboobur Rehman, briefed police officials about the security situation at the varsity and informed them that the university has hired over 80 security guards.


Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2016.