SHANGLA: A government girls degree college in Alpuri here is yet to be made functional despite construction of its building over a decade ago.

It is important to mention here that Shangla district has been experiencing quite low female literacy rate for long due to the absence of educational facilities for girls. There is only one girls degree college in Puran tehsil, which is fully functional.

Sajid Shah, an educationist from Alpuri, said that location was the main reason why the college could not be made functional till date. He said the building was constructed at a distant place in Lal Khanay area.

He claimed that land for the college was purchased in 2008 without following the standard procedure. He said the college building was yet to be handed over to the higher education department.

He said the college had been turned into a ghost building as people had taken away its doors and windows.

Adnan Munir, a resident of Kuz area, said only 30-35 girls were studying in a government higher secondary school in Lilownai area as the building was located at a distant place. He said only the students who could afford transportation charges went to the college.

Muskan Khan, a girl student from Alpuri, said getting education was their basic right but the government had failed to ensure this right to them. She said her school was located at a distance of nine kilometres from her house.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Peoples Party, Shangla chapter, observed the death anniversary of former MPA Haji Badiul Zaman by organising a public meeting in Damorai on Sunday.

Mr Zaman died in 1998.

On the occasion, PPP Malakand division president Afsarul Mulk and others said the party had always rendered sacrifices for strengthening democracy in the country.

They accused Pakistan Muslim-League-Nawaz leaders of pre-poll rigging by announcing development schemes, and urged the Election Commission of Pakistan to ban such projects.

LAID TO REST: Tufail Ahmad, a Pakistan Air Force official, who was martyred in an attack on Mianwali airbase the other day, was laid to rest in his native Puran town here on Sunday.

His body was brought to Puran on Sunday morning.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2023