ISLAMABAD: The oldest college of the federal capital has discovered a tower of a cellular company on its premises after eleven years.

Neither the college administration nor the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) is aware of who is collecting rent from this tower, which has gone unnoticed for over a decade.

The tower came into notice recently following a minor scuffle between the watchmen at the tower.

“We don’t know who allowed the installation of the tower or who is collecting rent from it. I checked records and found out that the college has not been receiving any rent from it,” said Professor Mumtaz Ali, principal of the college.

A senior teacher said that efforts are being made to contact the cellular company and the department or the person who is receiving rent.

“There is no record of the tower with the college administration and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). We are shocked by the discovery and don’t know who is collecting rent,” said Professor Tahir Bhatti, a spokesman for the FDE.

He said that he had been told by the administration officer of the college that no NOC had been issued by the college to any cellular company for the installation of this tower.

“The principal is supposed to keep a check on college property and land. Since 2003, the college has had a few principals but not a single one bothered to visit the abandoned areas of the institution,” he said.

He added that the FDE will probe this matter thoroughly.

Spread over 47 acres, Islamabad Model College, H-9, is one of the oldest colleges in the city.

Large parts of the college premises are abandoned and in 2003, a cellular company installed the tower at the bank of a nullah, which falls within the premises of the college.

The college principal said that it was possible that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) allowed the cellular company to install this tower.

“I’ll also check with the CDA in this regard,” the principal said.

Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, President Federal Government College Teacher Association Professor Sagheer Ahmed Mirani said a thorough investigation should be initiated to find out who allowed installation of this tower.

He said the college and school property cannot be used for commercial activities.

“The tower was installed some 11 year back so we don’t know who is collecting rent. This is a scam of over Rs4 million, in term of rent,” he said.

He asked the FDE director general to take notice of this issue.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014