"We would never let anyone use our children for vested interests," a parent said, adding that he would never allow his daughter to return to Jamia Hafsa madrassa.

A 17-year-old student, Raheela, said many girl students were being forced to remain in the complex and were being used as shields. 'I came here for religious education but the brand of Islam propagated by the administration was horrendous,' she was quoted as saying by the Daily Times.