SIALKOT: More than 700 minor girls and their teachers have been facing serious health hazards due to the odour oozing out of Dhed Nullah which passes close to the building of Government Girls High School, Malkey Kalan.

Students says they feel suffocated because of the bad smell. Dawn has learnt that most of the tanneries and factories drain out their liquid waste in this nullah due to which severe environmental pollution has gripped the area.

The drain has been lying uncovered, causing large-scale environmental pollution.

Students say they feel suffocation and nausea while sitting out of the classrooms. Some students say they feel headache as soon as they enter the school. They say teachers try to neutralise the impact of odour by lighting up incense sticks (agar batties)in classrooms. Local social worker Malik Muhammad Akbar Awan said the drain does not have parapets due to which minor students can fall into it.

Meanwhile, parents have demanded immediate medical checkup of students. They have urged Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Commissioner Khwaja Shamail Ahmed and Sialkot DCO Nadeem Sarwar to take notice of the situation.

School Headmistress Mrs. Zahida Shalcur said she had time and again informed the education authorities about the state of affairs but no step was taken. She said despite the critical situation, the school had shown 73 per cent results in the recently held matriculation examination.