GWADAR: Private schools and language centres in Panjgur which were closed in the middle of May because of threats from an unknown religious organisation have reopened after the government assured them of providing protection to them against such threats.

“All the 23 private English medium schools and language centres started functioning from Wednesday in the entire Panjgur district,” a senior official of the local administration told Dawn, adding that all possible protection would be provided to teachers and students of these institutions.

The unknown organisation had sent threatening letters to authorities of these institutions, asking them to discontinue the facility for female students. Unidentified men attacked at least three schools and torched vehicles carrying female students.

The group had also threatened to kill owners and teachers of the schools if they defied their `instructions’ and continued to educate female students. The attacks and threats forced these institutions in the entire Panjgur district to close down.

Read more: Private schools in Panjgur closed after threats

Rallies condemning the unknown group and demanding arrest of the attackers were held in Panjgur, Quetta and other towns of Balochistan.

Two days ago, Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch visited Panjgur and held meetings with the administration of private schools and concerned parents and assured them that all possible protection would be provided to the institutions and students and teachers associated with them.

On Wednesday, all private schools and language centres in the district reopened after heavy contingents of security forces were deployed there.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2014