Punjab Deploys Retired Personnel to Strengthen Campus Protection
Rawalpindi has introduced a strict new security plan for all public and private schools after the recent suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts and a rise in security threats. A 10-point advisory has been issued for every institution across the Rawalpindi division to enhance the protection of students, teachers, and staff. The Punjab government has approved the hiring of 30,000 retired military and police personnel on daily wages. These recruits will assist in security operations across the province. District and tehsil education officers have been directed to immediately appoint retired personnel as security guards for schools and colleges.
Schools Ordered to Upgrade Infrastructure and Surveillance Systems
Educational institutions have been instructed to improve their physical security. All schools must increase boundary walls to eight feet and install two additional feet of barbed wire to prevent unauthorized entry. The circular requires modern CCTV cameras at gates, playgrounds, rooftops, and corridors for continuous monitoring. Each campus must also maintain a UPS with a heavy-duty battery to ensure uninterrupted surveillance. Schools are required to establish a control room equipped with emergency contacts and supervised by a trained focal person during all school hours.
Mandatory Access Controls and Visitor Tracking Introduced
Metal detectors and walk-through gates are now compulsory at school entrances. Visitor registers must accurately record names and CNIC numbers of every individual entering the premises. Schools are also required to display rescue training instructions and anti-terror preparedness guidelines to promote awareness among staff and students. These measures aim to tighten entry-point security and ensure rapid response during emergencies.
Strict Monitoring and Accountability Across All Institutions
Authorities will enforce rigorous inspections to ensure compliance. Assistant district education officers must inspect two schools daily in each tehsil, while district education officers and chief executive officers will conduct two inspections each day. Officials who fail to submit inspection reports will face strict action. School heads who do not follow the new security guidelines will also face disciplinary consequences. Students will not be allowed to leave the campus during breaks, and entry for outsiders will be strictly prohibited to maintain a secure environment.
