IHC throws out plea seeking reopening of schools

CJ Minallah says it is govt’s discretion on how to deal with the pandemic

ISLAMABAD: The matter of reopening schools in the country amidst a novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic was thrown into the court of the government on Monday as the judiciary categorically stated that it will not interfere in executive matters on dealing with the virus.

This was directed on Monday by a single-member bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), comprising Chief Justice Athar Minallah, as he heard a petition filed by a citizen.

At the onset of Monday’s hearing, CJ Minallah remarked that the pandemic is a challenge for the government and the nation.

“It was the discretion of the government on how it wanted to deal with the pandemic situation,” the court stated.

The petitioner’s counsel, however, argued that thousands of people linked with private schools in the country are losing their jobs due to the continued closure of private schools for around three months now. He added that it was a violation of their basic human rights.

At this, CJ Minallah stated that currently, saving people’s lives must be deemed as the most significant right.

He further inquired from the counsel if educational institutions have reopened in any other country. The court noted that the institutions remain shut in many developed countries as well.

Dismissing the application, the court noted that representatives of private schools can submit an application with the Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PIERA) of Islamabad. Whatever its decision may be, the court said, it will not interfere in matters of the executive.

The IHC chief justice added that they have reopened the courts in line with the government’s policies and dismissed the petition.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2020.