Balochistan private schools alliance threatens legal action over fee curbs

What happened

The Balochistan Private Schools Associations Alliance has threatened legal action over restrictions on collecting fees in advance. The alliance wants the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Quetta West to explain the legal basis for the directive.

According to the alliance, the DC verbally announced the restriction during an open court session in Kuchlak. The alliance said the DC also warned that schools violating the directive could face cancellation of their registrations and closure. Alliance President Malik Rasheed Kakar, General Secretary Mohammad Nawaz Pandrani and spokesperson Haji Salim Nasir made these points at a press conference, as reported by ProPakistani.

The dispute follows a letter issued by the DC Quetta West’s office on 9 October. According to ProPakistani, the letter cited a Supreme Court ruling on school fees during winter vacations.

Reports published on 12 October by Daily Times and Pakistan Observer describe a formal notification that bars private schools in Quetta from collecting fees for the winter vacation period. Both name Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed Durrani, who instructed schools to comply with the ruling. Both attribute the ruling to the Balochistan High Court, while ProPakistani refers to a Supreme Court ruling. Daily Times said its report did not provide the ruling’s full legal scope or say whether the restriction applies beyond Quetta.

Authorities have said that schools found collecting winter vacation fees could face cancellation of their registration and sealing of their premises. The DC has also urged parents to report schools that continue to collect such fees to his office or the relevant education department. Officials said complaints would help ensure timely action.

The alliance argues that the ruling concerned the exceptional circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It says the ruling should not be used to impose blanket restrictions without reviewing the original judgment. The alliance has asked for clear guidelines on fee collection and warned it could file a contempt of court petition if the matter is not resolved. Its representatives said they did not intend to confront government officials. They said they want to protect the rights of private institutions and set a transparent, uniform fee policy across Balochistan.

Who is affected

The notification applies to private schools in Quetta, according to the reports. The alliance speaks for private schools across the province. It says more than 3,500 private schools operate in Balochistan, educating over 900,000 students and employing thousands of teachers. The alliance also said 475 private schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding to financial and operational pressures on the remaining institutions.

Parents who are asked to pay winter vacation fees have been encouraged to contact the relevant authorities. The DC’s office and the relevant education department are named as the places to file complaints.