41 Government Schools in Attock Remain Closed Amid Security Deployment
Academic activities at 41 government schools in Attock district have remained suspended for eight days as the institutions are being used to accommodate police and other law-enforcement personnel deployed for security duties, according to officials and sources cited by Dawn.
The prolonged closure has affected hundreds of students, with parents and teachers expressing concern over the loss of classroom time during an important part of the academic year.
Schools in Four Tehsils Affected
According to district education authorities, the affected institutions include 21 boys’ and girls’ high schools in Hazro, nine in Hassanabdal, seven in Fatehjang, and two each in Attock and Jand tehsils.
The schools have been designated as temporary accommodation and rest facilities for security personnel arriving from different parts of Punjab.
The deployment is linked to security preparations surrounding a planned protest march. Earlier reports said around 30,000 police personnel were being deployed in Attock as part of the wider security arrangements.
Students Face Continued Disruption
The continued closure means students have been unable to attend regular classes for more than a week.
Parents and teachers have raised concerns about the impact of the disruption on studies, particularly as the academic year progresses.
The use of educational institutions for police accommodation has also been reported in other areas of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region during the current security preparations.
Protest Date Changed
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) had initially announced a march for September 27 but later postponed it to October 4.
Despite the change in schedule, security preparations in Attock and surrounding areas have continued, with additional personnel and logistical arrangements remaining in place.
Attock is considered an important security point because it connects Punjab with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through major road routes, including the GT Road and motorway network.
Authorities had earlier intensified security at crossings and other strategic locations in the district as part of preparations for the planned protest.
Schools Yet to Resume Classes
With security personnel still accommodated in several educational buildings, the affected schools have not yet resumed normal academic activities.
The situation has created an additional challenge for students, teachers and parents as authorities continue to manage security arrangements in the district.
