CHITRAL, August 8, 2025: In a bid to improve safety and living conditions for students, the deputy commissioner of Chitral Lower has introduced new regulations governing the operation of student hostels.
Under the new rules, hostels will no longer be allowed to operate in residential buildings. Instead, they must be housed in separate buildings with a minimum of five rooms.
To strengthen security, all hostels are now required to install CCTV cameras at entry and exit points and deploy security guards for round-the-clock duty.
Additionally, hostel owners must install a clearly visible signboard displaying the name of the hostel and a list of rules in a standardized format.
Authorities have warned that strict action will be taken against any hostel found violating these regulations after August 20, 2025. Non-compliant hostels will be sealed, and owners may face legal proceedings, including the registration of FIRs.
The deputy commissioner emphasized that the new measures are aimed at protecting students and ensuring they live in a secure and regulated environment. Hostel owners and residents have been urged to cooperate and comply fully with the updated guidelines to avoid penalties.
Earlier, the district administration had cancelled the NOCs of several hostels operating in violation of safety and zoning rules. Inspections carried out by district teams revealed that many hostels lacked basic facilities and were being run in congested, unfit residential areas without any proper safety measures.
Following the NOC cancellations, hostel owners were given clear instructions to reapply under the updated safety guidelines. The new regulations are part of a broader initiative to regulate private hostels, many of which had been operating unchecked, putting students at risk.