Police resorted to lathi-charge and arrests as they dispersed a protest by owners and teachers of PEF (Punjab Education Foundation) partner schools in front of Governor's House in Lahore on Saturday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Earlier, the police arrested about 50 people as the owners and teachers of PEF partner schools staged a protest outside Zaman Park, the area where Prime Minister Imran Khan’s house is located.

The PEF partner schools owners have been protesting in different areas of Lahore for the last one week. But this particular protest was arranged as the prime minister was in Lahore on Saturday in connection with the tree plantation campaign.

As a result, the administration came into action and deployed more policemen in and around the locality while also using water tanks to block the area.

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Heavy police contingent and water tankers can also be seen outside the Lahore Press Club where another protest has been staged. The Charing Cross was another venue for the protest.

The protest is a result of the “austerity measures” taken by the PTI government as no money has been paid to these schools for the last five months. As a result, the owners are unable to meet the expenses and pay salaries to the teachers.

PML-N MPA Hina Parvez Butt also took part in the protest of the PEF owners and teachers at the Charing Cross and spoke in favour of their demands.

https://twitter.com/hinaparvezbutt/status/1284422999526047744

These funds under the FAS (Foundation Assisted Schools) are supposed to be disbursed to the partner schools on monthly basis. Under this scheme, an amount of Rs550 per student is paid for primary classes, Rs600 for elementary, Rs900 for secondary arts, Rs1100 secondary science, Rs1200 for higher secondary arts and Rs 1500 for higher secondary science classes.

The Punjab Education Foundation was established to encourage and promote education on non-commercial/ non-profit basis through financial and technical support to its partner schools in rural, urban and slum areas.

These schools are selected under laid down procedures and SOPs through open, transparent and competitive process. The details of each and every institution is given at the official website of PEF.