The headmistress of a government school in Lahore’s Johar Town has been accused of demanding five expensive dresses to approve pension documents.
The incident came to light when Rehan Bashir, a resident of Iqbal Town, filed a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Bureau, accompanied by a secret recording of the demand. Rehan said he visited the Government Girls High School, Samsani Khoi, Johar Town, to process his late mother’s pension documents. After handing the documents to the school staff, he was informed that the headmistress required five fancy dresses in return for her signature.
Rehan also recorded the school staff conveying the demand. Despite repeated attempts to persuade the headmistress, she only signed the documents after he provided three dresses.
Rehan subsequently complained to the Education Department, accusing the headmistress of bribery and abuse of power. However, he claimed the department delayed taking action for two months. Frustrated by the lack of response, he escalated the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau, submitting the recording as evidence.
The bureau summoned the headmistress, school staff, and the CEO of education for questioning. Despite the summons, the parties failed to appear. The bureau has now instructed the CEO of education to ensure the suspects are presented for investigation.