SHC seeks replies over school fees concession

Asks govt how long Sindh Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance will remain in force

The Sindh High Court sought on Friday replies over a plea challenging the Sindh government's orders for schools to give students a 20 per cent concession in tuition fees under the Sindh Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Nadeem Akhtar and Justice Mehmood A Khan, was hearing the plea, where the petitioner's counsel maintained that the Sindh chief minister could not be given all the authorities to issue a notification.

Addressing the petitioner, the bench remarked that instead of concerning himself with the authorities given to the CM, he should make arguments about his plea.

The counsel stated that the court had previously nullified the special order issued by the provincial government in this regard, further claiming that orders previously set aside by the court could not be implemented in the name of the Sindh Covid-19 Emergency Relief Ordinance.

The Sindh advocate general, however, maintained that the coronavirus pandemic had left alarming effects on society. "It is wrong to say that only the schools are suffering," he said, adding that the CM would be consulted with regard to the duration for which the ordinance would remain in effect.

He informed the court that a summary would be prepared, encompassing matters including the expected duration of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, and dates for the implementation and removal of related rules and guidelines.

Seeking replies on how long the ordinance would remain in force, the court adjourned the hearing until September 21.

Keenjhar boat tragedy

Another bench, comprising Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed and Justice Faisal Agha, directed the petitioner to review the report submitted by the Thatta district administration and relevant authorities in a case pertaining to a deadly boat accident on Keenjhar Lake.

As many as 10 picnickers had drowned when a boat capsized on Keenjhar Lake on August 17.

The Sindh culture, tourism and antiquities secretary along with the Thatta SSP and deputy commissioner submitted the report.

The court inquired from the tourism secretary as to what efforts had been made to prevent such incidents from happening.

At this, he informed the court that they had devised standard operating procedures for boat rides on the lake, adding that boat rides there were currently banned in the wake of the recent tragedy.

He further claimed that the boat that had capsized was not run by the provincial culture, tourism and antiquities department. Instead, he asserted, it was a fishing boat and the fishermen had offered rides to visitors.

The court directed the petitioner to review the report and adjourned the hearing till October 20.

Unsafe buildings

The court further issued notices to the Karachi Development Authority, Sindh Building Control Authority, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's anti-encroachment department and other authorities over a plea challenging the declaration and sealing of dangerous buildings after a recent building collapse in Allahwala Town, Korangi.

The petitioners' counsel maintained that buildings near collapsed structures had been vacated and sealed, with the authorities planning to raze them. Pointing out that the residents had used lifelong savings to acquire homes here, he moved the court to restrict authorities from demolishing these buildings.

The court issued notices to the relevant authorities, seeking replies by September 29.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th, 2020.