GUJRANWALA: A joint team of the district administration and Metropolitan Corporations (MC) on Monday sealed more than 40 private schools being run in residential buildings.

The team was led by City Assistant Commissioner (AC) Iqra Mobeen Gondal, while MC Chief Officer Haider Chattha accompanies her.

The AC said that the team sealed schools located in Satellite Town, on DC Road and Sialkot Bypass over their illegal operations in residential buildings.

She said these schools owed millions to the government in commercialisation and conversion fees. Notices for clearance of the dues had already been served on the managements of these schools, she added.

The AC said that the sealed schools lacked dedicated parking areas, and were using roads and public spaces in the vicinity for parking, which disrupted traffic flow and caused inconvenience to the commuters.

She said notices are being issued to all private schools in the city, asking them to arrange proper parking lots, otherwise, they will not be allowed to operate. The administration has also mandated these institutions to submit their building plans for verification.

The AC said that in the second phase, notices will be served on private hospitals operating in residential buildings without designated parking areas. She said that in the third phase action will be taken against illegally constructed marriage halls, lacking proper parking areas.

Meanwhile, the local Private Schools Association has raised concerns over the disruption of students education because of the closures.

The association’s spokesperson urged the authorities to resolve the issue amicably and allow the schools to operate in the larger interest of the students.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2025