Punjab ramps up school security with CCTV, bag checks

Schools directed to educate students, teachers on safety measures and to report any suspicious activities immediately

The Punjab government has directed all public and private schools across the province to tighten security in the wake of recent safety concerns, according to an official notification issued by the School Education Department.

In a circular sent to all chief executive officers of District Education Authorities, the department instructed schools to strictly observe safety protocols to prevent any untoward incident.

The notification outlined several precautionary steps, including ensuring the proper functioning of CCTV cameras, the use of metal detectors, and checking of students’ bags.

Schools have also been told to educate students, teachers, and other staff about safety measures and to report suspicious activities immediately. The circular further directed that students should be barred from bringing firearms, knives, scissors, or other sharp objects within the school premises.

 

The department asked all district authorities to implement the directives 'in letter and spirit' and circulate them among heads of institutions. Officials said the move aims to enhance the safety and wellbeing of students following heightened security concerns in educational institutions across Punjab.

The Punjab government’s decision to tighten security at public and private schools came on the heels of an ongoing crackdown on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), following the group’s failed attempt to march toward Islamabad for a protest.

A day earlier, the provincial government, along with the Islamabad Capital Territory administration, launched a widespread operation against the TLP, sealing several of its offices, mosques, and seminaries amid heightened tensions over the group’s planned demonstrations.

Officials said the crackdown aims to curb unrest and prevent the misuse of religious platforms to incite violence and chaos.

Read More: TLP offices, mosques sealed as Punjab, Centre launch crackdown

In Islamabad, authorities sealed the TLP’s central office located along Murree Road in the rural area of Athal Chowk, along with another party office in Madina Town on Simly Dam Road, Bhara Kahu.

The group’s central mosque and seminary, Anwar Madina, in Nai Abadi, Bhara Kahu, as well as another mosque in Mohallah Tekri, were also closed.

At the union council level, TLP offices in Shahpur and the Mumtaz Qadri Mosque in Athal village were sealed, along with Jamia Mosque at Satrah Mile on Murree Road and the UC-14 TLP office, mosque, and seminary at Siri Chowk, Phulgran.

Officials confirmed that five new cases had been registered against TLP leaders and workers as part of ongoing legal proceedings.