PM urged to keep school pledge

Martyred officer's family expresses concern over reports of project relocation

ABBOTTABAD:

The family of a martyred army officer has urged the Prime Minister of Pakistan to honour his commitment to establish a Danish Higher Secondary School in the native town of Lieutenant Colonel Shehzada Gulfaraz Ahmad Shaheed in Mansehra, expressing concern over reports that the project may be relocated to a distant site.

In a formal letter addressed to PM Shehbaz Sharif, Tabinda Rani—sister of the fallen officer—appealed for the school to be constructed in the Shaheed's hometown, in line with an assurance reportedly given during the Prime Minister's condolence visit on February 26, 2026.

According to the letter, the premier, accompanied by federal ministers, had visited the family's residence in Mansehra to offer condolences. During the visit, Tabinda Rani requested the establishment of a Federal Government Higher Secondary School, citing the absence of secondary and higher secondary educational institutions in the area and its long-standing educational neglect.

After reportedly confirming with local authorities that no such facility existed and that suitable government land was available, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a Danish Higher Secondary School in the Shaheed's name in his hometown.

However, the family has expressed alarm after learning—through a land identification letter issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Mansehra—that the proposed site may be shifted to a remote location approximately 70 kilometres away.

The letter states that moving the school away from the Shaheed's hometown would undermine efforts to address local educational deprivation and would constitute a departure from the PM's earlier commitment.

The family noted that around 50 kanals under the Auqaf Department near the Shaheed's residence, along with an additional 15 to 20 kanals under the Local Government within a half-kilometre radius, could be utilised.