SHC rejects schools’ appeal to bar Sindh govt action

Issues notice to Sindh govt over plea challenging Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance, 2020

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court rejected on Thursday a request by school owners to restrict the Sindh government from taking action against educational institutes that failed to comply with instructions issued in connection with the lockdown.

During the hearing, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, also issued notices to the provincial government over another petition filed by school owners, challenging the Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance, 2020.

"The Sindh government has made it mandatory for all schools to waive at least 20 per cent fees without considering that schools have been facing [financial] losses," the petitioner's counsel argued before the court.

He moved the court to nullify the government order and bar the Sindh government from taking action against any school not complying with the directive.

In response to the counsel's arguments, Sindh advocate-general Salman Talibuddin assured that the provincial government would not take action against any school during the ongoing break.

At this, Justice Mazhar remarked that action would be taken only after the issuance of fee challans, in case any student was expelled or if any of the schools opened during the break.

In addition, the private school education director maintained that schools refusing to pay salaries to teachers would also be subjected to action by relevant authorities.

Contesting this, the counsel for private schools argued that the payment of salaries to teachers was an internal matter for schools.

Rejecting the school owners' request to bar the government from taking action against them, the court issued notices to the Sindh government and other parties, seeking their replies on the petition by June 3.

Liquor shop licences

The same bench also ordered the respondents to ensure attendance at the next hearing of a plea challenging the issuance of licences to liquor shops.

According to the plea, the excise department had issued illegal licences to wine shop owners. It further stated that people lost all sense of judgement after consuming alcohol and moved the court to order the closure of liquor shops.

At this, court stated ant any illegally issued licences would be cancelled.

Meanwhile, an excise department official assured the court that all liquor shop licences would be renewed only after June 30.

The court also expressed annoyance over not receiving a reply from Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on the plea. "None of DHA's officials has bothered to attend the hearing despite the court issuing them notices earlier," remarked Justice Mazhar.

Citing the absence of the counsel for liquor shop owners, the court adjourned the hearing till June 29, without any further proceedings, and ordered the parties to ensure attendance at the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2020.