The Sindh Rangers have not only occupied a hostel of the historical Noor Muhammad High School in Hyderabad but have given a portion of this property on rent to a private party, the Sindh Assembly session on Wednesday was informed by minister for education, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq.
In a written reply to question by Syeda Marvi Rashdi of Pakistan Muslim League (Functional), the education minister said “Yes, the hostel is under the possession of the Rangers and a portion has also been rented out to a private party.” Pir Mazhar said the hostel was occupied by the Rangers for their “accommodation purposes.”
However, he said efforts are being made to get the hostel vacated. The Education Minister said the matter has been taken up with the Zila Nazim and District Coordination Officer Hyderabad so as to resolve the issue “amicably” by providing “alternate accommodation” to the Rangers.
The school was established in early 1920s, according to the family of Mian Noor Muhammad Lakhair advocate. “My father Noor Muhammad studied at Aligarh and also taught there for some time,” said Prof. Meher Noor Mohammed, his daughter and a former principal of Zubaida Govt Girls College, Hyderabad. Noor Muhammad and Hassan Ali Effendi were inspired by Sir Syed Ahmed’s Aligarh movement. Effendi established the Sindh Madressatul Islam while Noor Muhammad set up “Noor Muhammad High School” in Hyderabad to spread education among Muslims.
She said her father was born in a village Chakro, Larkana. Her grandfather Mohammed Sajawal Lakhair was head master during the colonial era in Khairpur Nathan Shah taluka. Prof Meher said her father had established the school for poor children of Sindh and had set up a hostel for boys belonging to rural areas.
“My father used to give the boys their fares and arranged their medical treatment when they become sick,” she said, adding that it was welfare institution for Muslims and not meant
for commercial purposes. Prof. Meher was one and half years old when her illustrious father passed away.
“My mother used to say that we should never consider the school as a personal property because it was “Amanat” (trust) of the Muslim community,” she said, adding that her mother also used to say never seek favours from the government for services rendered by her father. Prof. Meher said it is because of this that they are still living in a rented house in Hyderabad.
She said the condition of the school was “very bad” and its roof also required repair. She said two shops had been given on rent to a builder. However, she appreciated the efforts of the Zila Nazim Hyderabad who recently announced Rs21 lakh for repair and renovation of the historic school. She also praised Education Minister Pir Mazhar by saying that his father along with Sir Abdullah Haroon, had also helped in constructing Noor Muhammad School.
Mohammed Nawaz, grandson of Noor Muhammad, said that the Rangers had come to Hyderabad during the ethnic riots in the city and subsequently occupied the school’s hostel. However, its “commercialization” is increasing now, he observed. He said the other day, his elder brother Fareed had visited the school and saw banners installed by a “builder” on a portion of the hostel.
He said they had raised this issue with the concerned authorities and the students had also taken out demonstration against it. “The dedication of my father for cause of the education should not be spoiled in this way,” Prof. Meher added.
