BUNER/LOWER DIR: A jirga of local elders in Buner and activists of political parties in Lower Dir extended full support to the Private Education Network (PEN) and demanded of the government to reopen all private and government educational institutions from August 15.

In Buner, the elders constituted a committee comprising heads of all political parties, religious and social sector organisations to back PEN and to press the government for acceptance of the demand for opening all educational institutions from August 15.

Those who addressed the jirga included PEN district chapter president Nisar Khan, ANP’s Qaisar Wali Khan and Shuja Khan, PPP’s Jowhar Ali and JUI-F’s Maulana Saeedur Rehman besides activists and local leaders of other political parties.

The speakers supported the PEN decision to reopen schools from Aug 15.

They said when all markets, bazaars, mosques, cattle markets, weekly bazaars, bus stands, playgrounds, etc were allowed to operate then there was no justification for keeping educational institutions closed.

Private Education Network has announced classes will resume on Aug 15

Nisar Khan flanked by cabinet members told mediapersons that the jirga support had proved that PEN was right in its decision to open educational institutions.

In Lower Dir,the political parties and Adenzai Qaumi Jirga demanded of the government to reopen educational institutions in the district from Aug 15 and compensate private educational institutions for the last four months.

The demand was made during a multiparty conference organised by the PEN in Timergara. PEN district president Abdul Wadood briefed the participants about grievances of the parents, students and teachers of private schools.

The moot was addressed by former provincial minister Mehmood Zeb, Muzaffar Syed, Alam Zeb of PPP, Izazul Mulk of JI, Ameer Sirajuddin of JUI-F, Shaukat Ali of PML-N, Hujaj Khan of PTI, Imran Takur of ANP and others.

The speakers said that educational institutions in Malakand division had been closed since Dec 23. They said that private educational institutions had already been affected by militancy, flash floods and earthquakes in the region.

They demanded of the government to compensate small private educational institutions. They said that closure of schools in such a situation had created an educational crisis.

The speakers noted that markets, public transport and offices had been reopened under the SOPs and demanded that all educational institutions should also be reopened on the same pattern.

Meanwhile, Adenzai Qaumi Jirga also demanded of the government to reopen educational institutions. The jirga made the demand during a function organised by PEN at Chakdara Press Club.

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2020