No laxity should be displayed in the security arrangements in educational institutions:Rana Mashud

Lahore: Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashud Ahmad Khan has said that no laxity should be displayed in the security arrangements in educational institutions after summer vacations. He said that motivating male and female students to hat extremism, terrorism and violence through curricula and extra curricula activities is part of national action plan and necessary for our survival and bright future.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review the steps for creating hatred against terrorism and extremism through curricula and extra curricula activities and security arrangements in educational institutions. Secretary Schools Abdul Jabar Shaheen, Secretary Higher Education Irfan Ali, Chairman HEC Punjab Dr. Nizam-ud-Din, Additional Secretary Higher Education Shahid Zaman and other officers attended the meeting.

A briefing was given to the Minister about security arrangements and other measures taken at schools education and higher educational level in educational institutions. The Education Minister was told that the essays, stories and poems have been included in the syllabus for creating hatred against terrorism and extremism. These topics have also been included in speech and writing contests at schools level. Similarly, effective steps are also being taken at colleges and university level.

Rana Mashhood Ahmed said that the prescribed SOPs regarding security arrangements in educational institutions should be implemented strictly particularly no laxity or negligence should be shown regarding posting of security guards, installation of barbed wire, metal detectors and boundary walls of educational institutions. He said that no political interference with regard to posting of security guards should be tolerated.

The Provincial Minister also stressed upon patrolling of mobile police vans and installation of alarm system in schools under SOPs. He said that the heads of those educational institutions should be given final warning who have not fully implemented SOPs. He also directed to make effective security arrangements of historical places and other tourist places.

Secretary Higher Education Irfan Ali said that security and steps of national action plan are being made more effective in higher educational institutions. Rana Mashhood Ahmed directed Secretary Higher Educational to invite male and female students of Balochistan obtaining first ten positions in speech contests to visit Punjab so that the struggle against terrorism and extremism should be converted to a national moment.

Earlier, representatives of Malone Souliers, a fashion design institution of London, Luwolt and Mary Alice Molone called on Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan. Commercial Consular of Pakistani High Commission in London Ajlal Ahmed Khatak and Additional Secretary Higher Education Shahid Zaman were also present on the occasion.

The delegation discussed with the Provincial Minister about the Pakistani artisans and promotion of business relations with renowned fashion designers.

Rana Mashhood Ahmed informed members of the delegation about the local industries, handicrafts and cultural masterpieces of Pakistan.

A visit of local handicrafts, art pieces and the cultural heritage of walled city was also arranged for the delegation.