IHC seeks arguments on opening of educational institutions

IHC CJ says decision to reopen educational institutions rests with executive

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the counsel of a petitioner seeking opening of the educational institutions closed in view of the Covid-19 to present arguments in the next hearing.

The case was heard by IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah.

During the hearing, CJ Minallah remarked that it was the authority of the executive to decide the opening of the educational institutions.

The petitioner’s counsel said that they had filed a petition before too after which the court had directed them to approach the relevant authorities.

The lawyer said that they had filed application with the institutions concerned but in vain.

The chief justice replied that the court cannot issue any judgment on the basis of speculation.

The judge observed that the decision to open the educational institutions was the job and responsibility of the executive which it must be allowed to carry on.

The petitioner’s counsel requested the court to grant further time for the case which the judge accepted and adjourned the hearing of the case until next week.

Educational institutions have been closed across the country since March 15 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, the government lifted the lockdown restrictions and allowed various businesses and industries to reopen after a decrease in reported cases of Covid-19.

Since then, owners of private schools have been asking for schools to be opened as well. Some schools even reopened on August 15, in defiance of government instructions.

The Ministry of Federal Education, however, decided that the matter of reopening schools would first be discussed in the education ministers meeting, which would decide whether to open schools on September 15.