KARACHI, April 4: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui said students having arms or drugs at educational institutions and hostels would not only be rusticated for three years but would also be awarded exemplary punishment. He was speaking at a Qirat and Naat competition held at the Govt Premier Girls College, North Nazimabad, Karachi on Monday.

The minister said that the law enforcing agencies were issued directives to treat such elements as criminals and those who threaten students and teachers at educational institutions.

He made it clear that activities of rogue elements at educational institutions would not be tolerated as they were against the progress of the country.

On the occasion, he asked SHOs of police stations around girl’s colleges to remain vigilant and ensure peaceful environment in the areas where girl’s colleges were situated so that parents could send their daughters to acquire education without any fear.

Mr Siddiqui also expressed resentment on the presence of garbage dens outside colleges and directed police to remove them by seeking cooperation of concerned agencies and departments.

He urged the students to pay attention to their studies besides taking part in extracurricular activities.

Later, the minister distributed prizes, certificates among the students. — PPI