Intense talks under way to avert Pak school’s eviction

Jeddah: Fouzia Khan

The Pakistan Embassy is currently negotiating with the Saudi government to overturn its decision not to renew the lease of the Pakistan International School Jeddah (PISJ-Azizia).
This is according to Pakistan Consul General Aftab Khokher, who told Arab News on Tuesday the school had received the notice last year and that he and several other officials have been in talks with ministry representatives on the issue. There are 10,400 students studying at PISJ-Azizia.
“The matter is being handled by the embassy in Riyadh and we in Jeddah are also trying to resolve the issue. We have been in constant touch with the Education Ministry and have asked for an extension on the lease,” he said.
He said he was positive the issue would be resolved because Pakistan has strong ties with Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Bilal, the principal of the school, said he had informed the link officer Asif Hasan Maimon, the vice consul general and consul general about the situation.
“Maimon informed us that the Pakistani ambassador is already in negotiations with the Saudi government and it is possible the school will get another five years extension on the lease.”
However, he said that even if the ministry does grant the extension, there are plans to move it to the PISJ Rehab Section building. The school has already informed the tenants there that they have to move on March 1 next year. This would “solve this problem once and for all.”
Bilal said the school management is keeping a close eye on the situation and would not let it get out of hand. Khokher has also urged parents and students not to worry because the matter would be resolved.
The PISJ-Azizia section was established in 1984 when the land was given by the Saudi government for the construction of a school building. The lease was apparently for 30 years. Since 2000, the school has been paying SR485,000 in rent per annum for the land.
The PISJ Rehab Section building was rented in 1995 with money from the PISJ-Azizia school, with rent of SR400,000 per annum.