BAHAWALPUR, April 29: More than 23 primary schools for boys and girls have been closed since long in Cholistan and Yazman tehsil.

It is learnt that due to continuous migration of Cholistani population, the number of students in schools is negligible. Keeping in view dwindling number of students, the staff has been transferred to other schools. The schools closed included that of Chaks 99, 95, 132-DRB, 105 and Meerana. Many schools are running in other buildings as most of the school buildings have been declared dangerous. The schools running in rented buildings are situated at Chaks 133, 136-DB, 97 and 13-DNB.

There is no furniture in 152 schools and the students have to sit on mats. The schools which have electricity are without ceiling fans. The building of Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Yazman, is very small and a large number of students of higher classes have to sit in the open.

Sources claimed that the education department has not given any financial aid for the last three years. There were 110 posts of PTC teachers lying vacant in Yazman tehsil, they added.

CASE REGISTERED: Police registered a case against prayer leader Maulavi Muhammad Tariq of Mauza Noorpur Noranga on the charges of using mosque loudspeakers for anti-referendum propaganda.

Maulavi Tariq is still at large.