Court irked over closure of educational institutes during PSL

LHC summons education secretary to explain his position

LAHORE: Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim on Friday made it clear to the provincial government to come up with a comprehensive plan of traffic flow during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Justice Karim took noticed of the closure of Forman Christian (FC) College, located near Gaddafi Stadium during PSL and remarked: “have the educational institutions been stamped out by the PSL”.

Justice Karim ordered that the secretary education would have to explain the closing of FC College. Moreover, the law officer has also been directed to appear before the court by March 13 after getting instructions from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and quarters concerned over the traffic jam on main as well as adjoining roads during the PSL fixtures.

Justice Karim was hearing pollution-related cases wherein the court was requested to take actions against those causing environmental pollution. Taking notice of the traffic jams as well as the closure of the educational institutions, Justice Karim remarked: “A stay could be granted on PSL matches if a comprehensive plan is not submitted before the court by next date.”

Justice Karim also directed the PCB representatives and the CTO to hold a meeting with the representatives of Judicial Water Commission to focus on the traffic jams, causing pollution, on roads and then the comprehensive plan should be submitted before the court.

He maintained that the PSL was also causing pollution in society and people seemed to be trapped for hours in a traffic jam on roads.

The government does not bother about the loss of millions of revenue through running generators.

“Organising matches does not mean the environmental pollution will be compromised,” Justice Karim remarked.

Meanwhile, Justice Karim directed the secretary education to appear before the court to explain the closure of the institution during PSL fixtures.

He said the court be proved valid reasons why the college was closed.

“It is a dangerous thing if holidays are granted to schools and colleges as it means that cricket is becoming a hurdle in acquiring education,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2020.