All private schools and colleges across Sindh will remain closed on Friday, January 9, following a strike announced by the Grand Alliance of Private Schools Associations. The decision was taken to protest what the alliance describes as unlawful actions during an ongoing verification drive carried out by the Anti-Corruption Establishment.
The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, where alliance leaders explained the reasons behind the shutdown. They said the protest is directed at verification drives launched after a December 8, 2025 ruling by the Sindh High Court Sukkur Bench.
According to the alliance, the court had assigned the Anti-Corruption Establishment the limited task of verifying freeship lists submitted by regional directors. However, they alleged that anti-corruption teams exceeded this mandate by entering school premises and conducting direct inspections.
The alliance argued that such actions violate the Sindh Private Institutions Act, 2013. Under this law, they said, the Directorate of Private Institutions is the sole authorized regulatory body responsible for monitoring and overseeing private schools and colleges in the province.
Leaders also raised serious concerns over the presence of armed personnel inside school premises. They claimed these visits created fear and psychological stress among female teachers and minor students, while parents were also questioned unnecessarily despite submitting required documents.
The alliance announced that private institutions will observe a Black Day on January 8 and confirmed plans to file a fresh application in court. They urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah to intervene immediately and ensure lawful procedures.
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