KARACHI: On the directives of Sindh Ombudsman Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Aftab Ahmed Khatri, Regional Director of the Provincial Ombudsman Sindh (POS) for Keamari District/West Karachi, along with Salahuddin Siddiqui, conducted an inspection of the Government Boys and Girls Secondary School, Abdul Khaliq (A.K.) Sher Shah, located in Sher Shah Colony, Keamari District. The visit was carried out in response to serious complaints lodged by local residents of the area situated behind the Pak Colony police picket.

During the inspection, it was observed that four government school buildings in the vicinity have remained closed for a prolonged period and are now in a state of severe dilapidation. Three of these buildings have reportedly been illegally occupied by drug addicts, who were found openly selling and consuming narcotics, including heroin, inside the premises. The condition of the structures has deteriorated to such an extent that they are no longer fit for educational use.

Inspecting officials found drug addicts using narcotics inside classrooms, while some were seen sleeping within the school buildings. Alarmingly, donkeys and buffaloes were also found tethered within the school compound. Several sections of the boundary wall had collapsed, and no academic activity was taking place, posing a serious threat to public safety and social order.

The inspection highlighted gross negligence in safeguarding public property constructed through taxpayers’ money. Residents urged the authorities to take immediate steps to repair and rehabilitate the school buildings, upgrade the institution to college level, and consider handing over abandoned structures under an adoption model or public-private partnership to a third party, particularly to revive educational facilities for girls.

Locals further pointed out that this underdeveloped area of old Karachi has already suffered long-term educational deprivation due to past gang wars in Lyari. They appealed to the government for urgent intervention to restore educational activities and secure the future of children—especially girls—who continue to be denied their fundamental right to education.

The inspection conducted by the Provincial Ombudsman Sindh has raised serious questions over the misuse and neglect of educational institutions. It is now widely expected that the concerned authorities will initiate swift and effective action to reclaim the buildings and restore their intended academic purpose.