ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday, while hearing a case concerning the introduction of life skills education in schools, summoned the federal and provincial secretaries of education for the next hearing.
During the hearing, Justice Mazhar stated that a joint action plan can only be formed when all education secretaries are present in court. The additional attorney general, however, informed the court that life skills education is already being taught to children in schools in Islamabad.
Petitioner’s counsel Salman Akram Raja informed the court that responses had been submitted by Punjab province and the federal government, but he had not yet received copies of those responses.
During the hearing, the court expressed displeasure over the absence of a legal representative from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Justice Musarrat Hilali remarked that the main issue lies in the KP, and yet there is no representation from the province.
The bench directed that copies of all provincial responses be provided to the petitioner’s lawyer and adjourned the hearing sine die (indefinitely).
Meanwhile, the bench issued a notice to the federal government and sought a response in a case filed against military officers becoming part of the civil service without taking the required examination for joining the central superior services (CSS). A five-member Constitutional Bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan and comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, heard the case.
During the hearing, the petitioner, Ali Azim Afridi, appeared in person and argued that civilian candidates are required to pass both a written exam and an interview for the CSS (Central Superior Services), whereas armed forces officers are inducted into the civil bureaucracy through just an interview, bypassing the CSS exam process.
Justice Najafi asked the petitioner which of his rights were being infringed upon by the induction of military officers into the civil service. The court then issued a notice to the federal government, directing it to submit a reply within three weeks, and adjourned the hearing. Likewise, the Constitutional Bench, while hearing the review petition filed against the decision regarding vice chancellor appointments, saw Justice Mazhar inquire whether appointments for rector and president of the Islamic University had been made.
Rehanuddin, counsel for the university, replied that a permanent rector had not yet been appointed and that only an acting charge was in place. Justice Rizvi asked whether this was the same rector who was brought to the Supreme Court in a wheelchair. The lawyer responded that while the president of the Islamic University had been appointed, he had not yet arrived in Pakistan from Saudi Arabia to assume charge. He further informed the court that following a Supreme Court ruling, the former rector was suspended and removed from office, partly due to personal remarks made by the court against him.
He informed the court that they now wished to withdraw the review petition. Justice Mazhar, however, said that if the university wanted to withdraw the review petition, a formal application must be filed. Later, the court granted time to file the new application and adjourned further proceedings indefinitely.
