College Directorate staff retreats

The 166-year-old historic Education Complex, spread over one acre and 18 marlas in the heart of the city at Committee Chowk on Murree Road, has effectively been taken over by the Evacuee Trust Property Board following its sealing.

The director of colleges, deputy director, professors and lecturers of 101 colleges, directorate employees and the All Pakistan Clerks Association have surrendered, and it has been decided to completely vacate the College Directorate.

The temporary College Directorate office on the roadside footpath has also been closed.

The district administration and Higher Education Authority have issued instructions to immediately shift the College Directorate to any college. A new College Directorate will be established, with an assurance that funds will be provided. It has been decided to establish the new directorate on vacant land of any major college.

Meanwhile, a new lavish commercial plaza will be built at the site of the sealed Education Complex, with preparations for the project allegedly being made internally. The plaza will be constructed through a joint venture involving the Rawalpindi city's political, trading and administrative elite, according to the report.

The Education Complex's one-acre, 18-marla land will be obtained from the Evacuee Trust Property Board on a 99-year lease at an easy rate.

The historic building, which was built in 1860 as an orphanage and free hospital and was owned by Sardar Hasrat Singh, will be demolished in October.

Following strict orders from the administration on Saturday, neither the director of colleges nor the staff of his offices, nor any professors, lecturers or principals serving in the 101 colleges of Rawalpindi division, came near the sealed College Directorate.

Armed personnel of police, the FIA and the Auqaf and Evacuee Trust Property Department have been deployed there for security.

People have also been barred from standing near the building or taking photographs of it.