MARDAN: The residents of Gujraat locality have opposed the decision of provincial government to shift a planned degree college for girls from the area to Bashkhali.

They have set a 15-day deadline for the government to take back its decision otherwise they would launch agitation against it.

Addressing a press conference at Mardan Press Club on Thursday, the office-bearers of action committee of the area asked government to withdraw its decision of transferring the college from the area.

The press conference was addressed by action committee chairman Shah Khalid, general secretary Yasir Ali, Saddam Ali Shah, Imaad Akbar Hasaan, Mujahid Ali, Zawar Hussain, Malik Khursheed and Sajjad Ali.

The elders and other residents of the area were also present on the occasion.

They said that Provincial Education Minister Mohammad Atif, who also belonged to the area, had announced to establish a degree college for girls in Gujraat during a public gathering held in the area about one-and-half year ago.

They said that the minister’s announcement about establishment of the college spread a wave of joy and happiness among people of the area.

They said that not only PC-1 of the college was prepared but land was also allocated for it in Gujraat. They said that documentation was completed with its name as “Gujraat Girls Degree College’’.

They said that some changes were made in the plan of establishment of college after a couple of months owing to some political pressure and the college was transfer to Bashkhali.

They said that the decision to transfer the college to Bakhshali angered the residents of Gujraat. They alleged that their girls were being deprived of education through an organised conspiracy.

“We have not only allocated 27-kanal of land for the girls college but also Gujraat is suitable and easily accessible to residents of other areas including Bashkhali,” they said.

The elders said that they met with provincial education minister several times and discussed the issue with him and asked him to take back the decision but to no avail.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2016