F.P. Report
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday resumed hearing of a petition seeking a complete ban on corporal punishment in educational institutions.
A bench of the high court comprises of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a petition filed by renowned singer and Chairman Zindagi Trust Shehzad Roy to ban corporal punishment to students in schools.
Justice Athar Minallah during the hearing called presence of Human Rights Minister Dr. Shireen Mazari without being summoned by the court a welcome sign.
The bench asked the minister about progress over legislation on the matter.
Dr. Mazari reached to the rostrum for her statement over the issue.
The high court had suspended section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) in a previous hearing and served notices to concerned authorities.
Roy’s counsel Shahab Usto in his arguments before the court said it has become a routine to physically punish students in the name of discipline and media is airing such news on almost daily basis.
Usto said Pakistan stands 154th on the list related to child rights protection out of 182 countries of the world. The court was pleaded to pass orders in line with the United Nations Convention.
Justice Athar Minallah remarked the National Assembly has also passed such bill banning physical punishment to the students at school. Terming the plea in the public interest, he issued the notices to secretaries of Home, Law, Education, Human Rights ministries and the IGP Islamabad.
Talking to newsmen outside the IHC, after the hearing along with his counsel Shahab Osto, Shahzad Roy regretted over presence of the law, which allows physical torture over students.
He said torture over school students ends in severe loss and the act is regarded as a severe crime in many countries of the world.
Roy said torture over school students is against the constitution of Pakistan.
