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Two weeks after the fatal Lahore tuition centre incident, authorities have yet to conduct comprehensive safety inspections of private educational institutions across Murree district, raising concerns over the implementation of official orders, as reported by The Express Tribune.
According to The Express Tribune, following the Lahore tragedy, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz instructed authorities to carry out a province-wide review of safety standards in private schools, tuition centres and other educational facilities. However, residents of Murree district claim that no large-scale inspection campaign has been undertaken in either of the district's two tehsils, Murree and Kotli Sattian. They allege that private schools continue to operate without proper assessments of essential safety measures, including fire prevention systems, emergency evacuation routes, first-aid arrangements and the structural integrity of school buildings. Locals further claimed that authorities have not initiated meaningful enforcement against institutions that may be violating prescribed safety requirements. The reported lack of follow-up has fuelled criticism over the pace of implementation despite the provincial government's public commitment to improving student safety. Parents have voiced concern that thousands of students attend private educational institutions throughout the district every day, stressing that ensuring a safe learning environment must remain a top priority. They warned that delays in carrying out inspections could expose students and staff to avoidable risks if safety shortcomings remain unaddressed. Residents have urged the Punjab government to immediately enforce the Chief Minister's directives by launching emergency inspections of all private schools, tuition centres and educational institutions in Murree and Kotli Sattian. They also called for legal action against schools found to be violating mandatory safety standards, as cited by The Express Tribune. Appeals have been made to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Rawalpindi Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner of Murree, the Chief Executive Officer (Education), Rescue 1122 and other relevant departments to begin an immediate district-wide inspection drive, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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