At least 80 per cent schools in Sindh’s capital lack proper security arrangements despite the directives issued by Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Thursday.
The total of number of government and private schools in Sindh’s metropolis is around 20,000. Only 20 per cent of the schools reportedly have security personnel deployed there. The rest of the 80 per cent schools’ inadequate security poses threat to the lives of children and others. The Sindh government had chalked out a security plan for schools after the Army Public School (APS) attack in December 2014. However, the government has not implemented its decisions. There are no boundary walls in government schools. Several government schools have even no entrance gates.
The locals have demanded of the government to get its actions implemented and take the steps needed. On the other hand, army and navy-run schools in Karachi were closed on Wednesday until February 2. Meanwhile, walk-through gates have been installed on all the entrance gates of Karachi University.
After Bacha Khan University attack on January 20 that claimed 21 lives, provincial governments and the federation have once again opened eyes to the threats that loom over students’ lives. Several sections have denounced government’s efforts to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) which was formed after Peshawar APS attack that claimed more than 130 students’ lives.
A targeted operation in Karachi against militants and criminals was launched in September 2013. The operation has contained crime rate in the city, however, insurgencies in different parts of the country pose a major threat. Two days before the operation was formally launched, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Ishratul Ibad among other leaders had favoured the action during meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif.
However, the Sindh government has taken few steps in the recent past to devoid Rangers of the special policing powers.