School land faces threat of commercial use

Ziaul Uloom High School headmaster transferred for opposing ETPB's move

RAWALPINDI:

The prime 52-marla land of the Government Ziaul Uloom High School, which was established 55 years ago in the most expensive and heartland area of the city, Raja Bazaar, is feared to be commercialised after the transfer of a key teacher.

Local traders have got a "sigh of relief" after the Education Department transferred the school's headmaster, Obaidullah Anwar, who had been fighting for many years to save the school's 52 marla commercial land worth billions of rupees from being grabbed, to Lahore.

This historic old school was established on the 52-marla property of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). The covered area is 42 marla and 10 marla is an open area playground. This school has 17 classrooms, a headmaster's office, a large staff room, and a waiting room.

It is learned that local traders and leaders of the ruling party want to demolish this school and build a commercial plaza here. The ETPB is also reportedly supporting the idea of a commercial plaza and wants to lease this valuable land to shopkeepers.

Traders have repeatedly made attempts to forcibly occupy the school, but the headmaster failed with the help of students. A case was also registered against the shopkeepers in this regard. Now the teachers have lost this battle and the way is clear to demolish this historic school and build a commercial plaza here.

When contacted, headmaster Obaidullah Anwar confirmed his transfer and reporting to Lahore. Reacting to the transfer, the students protested at Raja Bazaar on Thursday, raising slogans and demanding the cancellation of the headmaster's transfer.

Sources said that it has been decided to immediately privatise this most important and expensive property of the school. This school is being reportedly sold to an influential political traders' group in the city.