Punjab schools to get security clearance in three phases
Government has also warned to close any institution in case of not implementing the security plan.
LAHORE (Dunya News) –Punjab government on Wednesday has announced to grant security clearance to the educational institutions in Punjab in three phases, Dunya News reported.
Provincial governments have geared up to beef the security arrangements of schools across the country after the brutal incident of Peshawar attack.
Government officials have directed the school administration to raise the boundary walls, appoint experienced security guards and to install security cameras.
Punjab government has notified the educational institutions that they would get security clearance in three phases.Those institutions that will follow the instructions till January 9 will be allowed to open on January 12.
The time span of two and a half months will be given for second phase whereas institutions have already been directed to follow a complete security plan for the clearance of third phase.
The government has also warned to close any institution in case of not implementing the security plan.
Further, Punjab Interior Minister Shuja Khanzada said that fool proof security would be ensured in all the schools in Punjab until January 11 while the schools whose security arrangements are ongoing would remain closed.
A meeting was held headed by Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif to review the security measures adopted for fool proof security of the schools and educational institutions.
The meeting was told that the security arrangements in at least 50 percent to 60 percent schools of the province have been finalised. However, there are some government schools which still need their walls to be raised higher while talks with the administration of the private schools are ongoing.
While talking to the Dunya News, Khanzada said that the schools have been divided into three different categories for efficient security measures against acts of terror. He said that as many as five security agencies collectively are inspecting the security arrangements of the schools. Moreover, a special force has also been formed for the matter, he added.
Khanzada said that the protection of the educational institutions is the government’s priority whereas the schools lacking security arrangements would remain closed.
The government’s spokesperson urged the institutions to get No Objection Certificates (NOCs) after having their security measures reviewed by the inspection teams as any school without the NOC would not be allowed to open on January 12.
