SC warns to close two private schools over contemptuous letters
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday warned to close the two private schools over a letter by using derogatory language for the chief justice of Pakistan.
A three member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard a contempt case against two private schools. During the hearing, the court was informed that two private schools had written derogatory letters to parents and guardians.
The court lambasted at private schools for using derogatory language for the chief justice. “How dare you describe the Supreme Court school fee verdict as draconian,” thundered Justice Gulzar Ahmed.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan said that the letters written to the parents were contemptuous. “What type of things did you write?” Justice Ahmed asked. He told the private schools’ lawyers that they would shut their institutions.
“We can even nationalise your schools. We'll ask the government to take over your schools,” he warned. The counsel for private schools asked the court to forgive them and said it would not happen again.
The private school’s lawyer said that they had not intended to be contemptuous against the court and had followed by the court's directives by reducing their fees.
Justice Ahmed responded by asking the schools to submit a written apology after which they will see what happens.
Justice Ahsan noted that the private schools had written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan in which they had used contemptuous language.
Later, the SC directed the two private schools to submit their written replies in the case to the court and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
Earlier on December 13, the SC, on a petition against a hike in private school fees, had ordered a 20 per cent decrease in fees charged by upscale private schools, and ordered them to return half the fees they had charged for summer vacations. The order was applicable to private schools across the country whose fees are in excess of Rs5,000.
SC issues detailed verdict on 20pc decrease in private schools fee
On Jan 17, the SC issued a detailed verdict on the a 20 percent decrease in the fee of private schools charging above Rs5,000 monthly. In the detailed judgment written by Justice Ejazul Ahsan, the court clarified that its order dated December 13, 2018 applies to all private schools which charge fee in excess of Rs5,000 per month throughout the country, without any exception.
Private schools charging less than Rs5,000 in monthly fee are exempted from the order. The order states that all awards, scholarships and other incentives already given to students shall remain intact and shall neither be reduced nor withdrawn.
The court ordered the FIA to return the record to schools after getting its photocopy.
