ISLAMABAD: An issue regarding the lease of 16 shops within the Islamabad Model College for Boys (IMCB), Sector H-9, to a private party has returned to the limelight after an inquiry into the matter was launched by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights.

However recent developments have renewed the hopes of students and teachers alike that they may once again have full use and control of their building.

The IMCB H-9 campus includes a sports complex built in the 1960’s. There are 16 shops located under the stairs of the facility, which were converted for commercial use under the previous government’s tenure. They were leased to a private business owner for a period of five years from January 22, 2012, at the rate of Rs5,000 per month for each shop.

Following the agreement, the lessee deposited Rs688,064 into account No. 6649-5 at National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), H-9, under the name of ‘Tuck Shop’ on January 31, 2012 as an advance security deposit. The private party then took over the building and constructed a wall around it, with plans to establish a ‘food street’. However, these plans fell through when the Capital Development Authority (CDA) intervened and the shops are currently being used as storage space by the leaseholder.

Teachers at the college called the decision ‘illegal’ and former president of the Federal Government College Teachers Association (FGCTA) Prof Tahir Mahmood led a campaign to have the building vacated, however, their demand was largely ignored by the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD).

Recently elected FGCTA President Prof Sagheer Ahmed Mirani continued the campaign, and filed applications with various institutions including the Supreme Court and CADD.

However, this Thursday, new developments came to light as Inspector Abdul Sattar of the Industrial Area Police Station visited the college, and said he had been instructed by the authorities to prepare a report on the shops.

The inspector recorded the statement of the college principal, Prof Mumtaz Ali, who said the stores had been converted into shops during the previous management’s tenure.

Mirani told Dawn that leasing the stores was unacceptable and an “open violation of a verdict given by the apex court, which states that no educational institution or its property could be utilised for any other purpose”.

“The management of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) also handed over the college hostel to Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) in August 2012, due to which students have suffered. The students of the college have a right to use the hostel and the sports complex. FGCTA will continue its struggle to get these back,” he added.

A college official, who asked not to be named, said the principal had written to the FDE several times regarding the illegal lease but had not received a response so far.

Inspector Sattar told Dawn that he was instructed by his superiors to record a statement and make a report on the shops and the hostel.

“I just went to the college and recorded the principal’s statement and forwarded it to my superiors. The principal said the agreement was made during the tenure of the previous management and was against the rules,” he said.

He added that the investigation was initiated by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights.

When contacted, CADD Joint Secretary Rafique Tahir said that he was not aware that police had visited the college and prepared a report.

“I will look into the issue and, after a discussion with the CADD secretary, appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2014

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