MARDAN: The Fazlehaq College Mardan has been closed for indefinite period over fear of militant attacks.

Principal Riaz Khan told Dawn on Saturday that the college administration had closed the campus after receiving several attack threats from suspected militants during the last one week.

“We can’t take the risk of keeping the campus open until foolproof security is provided,” he said.

Mr. Riaz said he along with the relevant staff members of the college met the district police officer and administration officials concerned and discussed the situation, which had emerged over threats of militant attacks. He said possible security measures on and around the campus were discussed in the meeting.

The principal said it was decided at the meeting that six to seven FC personnel and 10 to 15 police officials would be deployed at the college, while 22 guards of the college would be positioned in different parts of the campus.

A man, whose children are enrolled in the college, insisted the administration of the educational institutions had miserably failed to take necessary steps for the security of students and staff members on campus.

He said the administration had called a meeting of the students’ parents soon after a suicide attack occurred in the Mardan excise and taxation offices few months ago, and formed a committee consisting of staff members and 17 parents to suggest security checks in and around the college.

The parent said the administration had promised it would soon call a meeting of the committee but the promise had yet to be fulfilled. He said most parents were seriously thinking about pulling their children out of the college over insecurity mainly caused by threats of militant attacks.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2016