BAHAWALNAGAR: Two teachers have been suspended under the Peeda Act for participating in a protest rally and making social media posts, criticising the Punjab education minister’s remarks about teachers, while numerous others have received show-cause letters.

According to education officials, Muhammad Faisal Zafar, an EST teacher at the Government Elementary School 212/9R in Fort Abbas, has been suspended for reportedly instigating teachers and organising a protest march against Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat.

In this regard, a letter issued by the Bahawalnagar district education officer, a copy of which is available with Dawn, states that Faisal Zafar allegedly circulated messages through social media platforms to organise protest rallies against government authorities, raised protest slogans, disobeyed departmental directions, created unrest among employees, and interfered with government policies. It further said the actions fell under the category of misconduct under the Peeda Act 2006, for which he was suspended and departmental action was being initiated against him.

Education sources told Dawn that Punjab Educators Association President Fort Abbas Faisal Mahmood Langrial had also been suspended, and dozens of teachers received show-cause notices for organising a protest rally in Fort Abbas against the education minister’s alleged insulting remarks about teachers, in which he referred to them as ‘thieves’.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026