Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has said that his government would take action against elements threatening private schools in Panjgur District.
All private schools and English language centres are closed for the last 10 days following threats by a little-known terrorist group opposed to Western-style and co-education.
The group distributed threatening pamphlets, forcing private school owners and language centres to go on an indefinite strike.
Thousands of students, mostly girls, took to the streets in Panjgur and urged the government to protect them.
“Nobody will be allowed to prevent girls and children from going to schools in Panjgur or any other part of Balochistan,” Baloch told reporters. “Our government will take a stern action against such elements,” he said.
Locals said that despite the chief minister’s assurance, tension and fear grips Panjgur.
“I was driving my car when I was stopped by gunmen who opened fire. Although my children and I survived the shooting, my vehicle was set on fire,” a school owner told a private TV channel.
On the other hand, Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti insisted that no school was closed in Panjgur.
“Let me clarify that state machinery is active. I can assure that no school is closed in Panjgur,” he claimed.
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