K-P extends school closure until May 31, cancels exams

CM warns wheat hoarders against creating artificial shortages

PESHAWAR: As the number of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) jumped by 29 on Monday, the provincial government cancelled all upcoming school examinations while announcing that all schools in the province will remain closed until  May 31.

This was announced by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Elementary and Secondary Education Department (K-PESED) in a notification on Monday. It added that the duration of this closure will be considered as summer vacations.

The notification added that board examinations or any other internal examination or assessment, scheduled in the private schools and academies, shall also stand postponed until May 31.

Following the directives of the K-PESED, the K-P Private Schools Regulatory Authority (K-P PSRA) issued a separate notification which said that all private schools and tuition academies will also remain closed until May 31.

CM warns against hoarding

Amid reports that flour stocks are low at stores across the province, K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Monday warned that strict action will be taken against those creating an artificial shortage of the essential commodity in the market and hiking prices.

In a statement on Monday, the chief minister said that he had directed district administrations and other relevant departments to remain vigilant against hoarders and take action where necessary, adding that he was monitoring the market situation daily through the district administrations.

He urged elected representatives to visit markets in their respective hometowns and constituencies to ensure that all essential items are available.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the CM on Information and Public Relations Ajmal Wazir visited different markets in the provincial capital and met with grocery store owners and the public. He inquired about the delivery of government services from them.

The adviser assured that there is no flour crisis in the province with sufficient stocks to last until the end of May. He added that wheat is being supplied in all districts of the province as per their requirements.

Lockdown in Peshawar

All markets, business centres and shopping malls remained closed on Monday for the seventh consecutive day of the ongoing lockdown imposed by the provincial government to contain the spread of Covid-19.

The historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Karimpura Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, shopping centres on the University Road in the provincial capital wore a deserted look.

The provincial government has extended the lockdown till April 7. However, the grocery, medicine and essential items shops remain open.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31^st, 2020.