SHC rejects plea seeking Holy Quran inclusion in syllabus

Bench rules faith is a personal matter which cannot be interfered with

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has rejected a petition seeking mandatory teaching of the Holy Quran with translation to students from primary to college as part of curricula in Sindh.

While announcing its judgment reserved earlier, the court stated on Friday that the Constitution of Pakistan maintains a balance among the three pillars of state: judiciary, legislature and administration. If there is no violation of fundamental rights, the court cannot order a change in curriculum.

"In our view, faith is a personal matter which cannot be interfered with," reads the judgment. "The Constitution provides both negative and positive rights. Negative rights obligate the State not to interfere in the private affairs of citizens. Citizens can exercise their rights as they wish," it adds.

"Article 20 of the Constitution grants freedom of religion to citizens and obligates the State not to interfere in the religious affairs of any person."

In his petition, the petitioner took the stance that teaching of the Holy Quran should be made compulsory in the curricula of schools and colleges in the province. "The Punjab Assembly has already approved inclusion of the Holy Quran teaching in the curricula of schools and colleges; therefore, Sindh should also follow suit," he argued.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2022.