SC overrules FSC verdict declaring Arabic language mandatory in schools

FSC has no jurisdiction to pass such a judgement, bench rules

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan's appellant Shariat bench on Wednesday overruled the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) 2012 judgment declaring teaching of Arabic language mandatory for schools in the country.

A three-judge bench, headed by Justice Mushir Alam, was hearing the Punjab government's appeal against FSC's verdict earlier today which set aside and declared ineffective by the court.

Additional Advocate General Qasim Chohan represented the Punjab government in the court. The bench noted that FSC has no jurisdiction to pass such a judgment.



In 2010, the respondent Dr Zahoor Ahmad Azhar wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of FSC which was converted and registered into a Shariat application. It sought the direction of the FSC in regards to issue a mandamus against the government to make arrangements for the compulsory teaching of Arabic language in schools.

However, the Punjab government petitioned an appeal against the decision on the grounds that the judgment passed by FSC in 2012 is against the constitutional provisions and not sustainable in law.