QUETTA: Hundreds of workers of political parties, human rights activists and members of civil society protested here on Monday against the closure of private schools in Panjgur and Turbat districts.

The protesters, including women and female students, carrying banners and placards inscribed with their demands, gathered in front of the Quetta Press Club.

They called for action against an extremist organisation which recently forced closure of a large number of private schools and English language centres in Panjgur and Turbat districts.

Dr Shama Ishaq, an MPA of the ruling National Party, Sami Zarkhoon, Dr Ishaq Baloch, Liaquat Shahwani and Musa Jan Baloch addressed the demonstrators and condemned the extremist organisation for hurling threats to private schools.

They said people would not bow down before the elements which wanted to deprive Baloch females of education.

They said that Balochistan was already kept backward in different fields by successive governments and now these elements wanted to keep females in the province backward.

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2014