ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday has sought a reply from law ministry over implementation on the bill regarding torture on school children till March 12.
Chief Justice of IHC Athar Minallah conducted hearing on a plea submitted by Pakistani famous singer, social activist and Zindagi Trust President Shehzad Roy against physical punishment of children in schools.
During the proceedings, Roy told the court that torturing the students at educational institutions has become trend in Pakistan. This practice should be banned for better development of the children, he requested.
Meanwhile, the IHC CJ asked about the legislation on the bill passed against student assault. Islam also doesn’t allow anyone to torture a kid. This mindset has to be changed at any cost, he remarked.
The court further said that the decision on the petition will be announced in next hearing on March 30.
Talking to media after the hearing, Shehzad Roy said that punishing a student is as dangerous as sexual harassment. The approval of bill in National Assembly (NA) against children torture is a big success, he added.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari voiced her support for the singer and told that education ministry has banned the physical punishment at all the educational institutions in the federal capital.
Previously, IHC had banned physical punishment of children in schools and issued notices to all the parties named in the plea to reply in two weeks.
Plaintiff’s counsel told the court that students are being subjected to brutal torture by teachers and school managements which directly affects the mental growth of children.
Justice Athar remarked a bill highlighting this issue was also approved in the National Assembly (NA) over which, the lawyer informed that the legislation process was being delayed due to political matters.
Subsequently, the judge had directed the interior ministry to take steps for prevention of school punishment under article 14 of the Constitution.
