CJP hints at nationalisation of private schools in the country

Private schools file a petition against KP policy of charging 50 percent fee during summer vacation

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday hinted towards nationalisation of all private schools across the country.

“Why should we not direct the government to take over all schools as there is no bar on nationalisation,” said the CJP during the hearing of an appeal filed by various private schools against the Peshawar High Court’s November 2017 verdict. The high court had earlier passed certain directions to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government regarding the regularisation of private schools. The PHC had also directed that the educational institutions would charge 50% fee from students during summer vacations.

The four-judge bench headed by CJP Nisar also sent a public notice through two newspapers for hearing the matter.

The chief justice lamented that two previous governments did not give preference to the country’s education sector. “We have already formed a commission for the enforcement of Article 25A of the Constitution”, he said.  The article guarantees the right to free and compulsory education to children between the ages of five to sixteen years old.



The chief justice wondered how a BS-18 officer could afford the fees of his three children, adding that the court will issue a notice to the Attorney General for Pakistan for legal assistance in this matter.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has cancelled the Islamabad High Court order regarding collection of fees during summer holidays till decision of the ongoing case.

Earlier, the PHC had rejected a petition for private schools and they approached the apex court. However, the bench has refused to give interim relief to private schools.  The hearing of the case was adjourned till July 12.