CHAKWAL: Flouting all the rules and regulations, a deputy district officer in Chakwal’s Education Department has allowed the management of a seminary to hold its annual Urs on the premises of a public school, it has been learnt on Wednesday.

As a result the school will remain closed for three days from March 19 to 21.

The seminary, Darul Uloom Hanfia, Chakwal, is run by influential clerics who are also industrialists.

On February 18, the administrator of the seminary had moved an application to the District Coordination Officer (DCO) seeking permission for holding the three-day events at MC Middle School Chakwal which is located beside the seminary.

The DCO referred the matter to the officials concerned of the Education Department directing them to act as per law.

But setting the law aside, Deputy District Officer Education (Elementary Male) allowed the management of the seminary to use the school for holding Urs.

In this regard he issued a letter (a copy of which is available with Dawn) on March 15 in which he stated: “The compound of MC Middle School Chakwal can be used for three days (March 19 to March 21) but on following terms and conditions:

No religious ceremony will be held in the school building.

The participants should be served food but that too after normal working hours of the school.

Security measures should be planned with the help of the city police Chakwal.

Ironically, the official did not mention in his letter that under what law he had allowed the management of the seminary to use the school.

Moreover, in the letter the official said the school could be used after normal working hours but the school remained closed for students on Tuesday and there would be no classes for next two days also.

When the attention of Executive District Officer (Education) Ghulam Murtaza was drawn to the matter he was shocked. “It is wrong and I would look into the matter,” he said.

Repeated attempts have been made to get the version of Deputy District Officer but he did not respond.