Top education officer manhandled

Teachers and the clerical staff on Thursday allegedly manhandled District Education Authority's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kashif Azam soon after he reached the office to assume charge after he was appointed to the post for the third time.

They tortured Kashif Azam and tore his clothes, dragging him on the road for several minutes. The enraged teachers and the clerical staff also assaulted Deputy Education Officer Malik Asif Ali, when he attempted to save the CEO, who was seriously injured and fell unconscious on the ground semi-naked, as his clothes were torn up.

Later, the CEO escaped and saved his life by hiding in a rickshaw parked nearby. A medical report mentioned that he sustained fractures in his ribs. Later, the education officers were taken to a safe place in police custody.

Meanwhile, Waris Khan police reached the spot and removed a strike camp set up by the teachers and clerical staff. Police arrested 20 teachers and clerical staff while all other teachers and clerks escaped from the scene.
During the attack on the education officer, female teachers ran away screaming and took shelter in a nearby girls' school, whereas many lady teachers hid in nearby shops.

Kashif Azam served as the Chief Executive Officer in Rawalpindi twice before. Teachers and clerical organisations started protesting against his appointment for the third time.
The education officer joined the office after submitting his credentials to the deputy commissioner. However, when the CEO entered the office, the angry teachers, employees and clerical staff raised slogans against him. The protestors assaulted the education officer at the entrance gate.

Meanwhile, teachers’ leaders Shahid Mubarak, Malik Amjad, and clerical staff leader Raja Aftab alleged that the attitude of the education officer was outrageous and disgraceful. They said that earlier, a delegation of teachers and clerical staff met with Deputy Commissioner (DC) Tahir Farooq and apprised him of their apprehensions against the appointment of the education officer.

Meanwhile, CEO Education Kashif Azam said that he had given the joining to the deputy commissioner. After that, he reached the office to take charge along with his Deputy Education Officer Malik Asif and his staff.

He said that as soon as he got out of the car, he was attacked. He said that the attackers had sticks and firearms.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2022.