LHC may summon CM on compulsory Quran teaching

Court says education dept must ensure teaching of holy book at schools

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has cautioned the government that Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar would be summoned if the education department’s report fails to satisfy the court over measures taken to ensure compulsory teaching of the Holy Quran at schools.

The LHC’s division bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed was hearing a matter wherein the petitioner sought direction to quarters concerned to make compulsory the teaching of the Holy Quran at private and government schools.

As the proceedings commenced, the schools education secretary again submitted a report about what measures they had taken for the purpose to ensure the teaching of the Holy Quran at schools, the number of teachers they required for the aforementioned purpose and to whom they had assigned the duty for teaching the holy book.

Justice Shahid Waheed expressed his displeasure over the report submitted by the schools education secretary.

On an argument by the education department that the assignment of teaching the Holy Quran has been given to some arts and science teachers in different schools, Justice Shahid Waheed remarked that these teachers are not suitable so the assignment be given to those who could easily fulfil the duty completely.

During arguments, secretary schools sought the court’s permission for saying something at which Justice Shahid Waheed ordered him to remain silent.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 4^th, 2022.