The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday disposed of the plea of private schools for the opening of educational institutions of the federal capital from August 15 and directed them to approach the relevant forum.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing into a petition filed by a private school seeking opening of schools, which were closed earlier due to coronavirus outbreak.

Chief Justice Athar Minallah said that the government is also looking into the matter. The government is responsible for making policy and the court will not interfere in the matter, he said. Elected representatives are answerable to the public, he added. 

The petitioner’s lawyer pleaded that the educational institutions were closed in the federal capital for several months due to COVID-19 while the school owners were facing hardships. He said that his client had given application to Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Authority (PEIRA) in this regard but nothing availed.

The chief justice asked the petitioner to approach the relevant forum through the platform of their association rather than seeking individual relief.

He observed that it was impossible that the government was not taking attention towards it. Justice Athar remarked that not only schools but the students were also suffering due to the closure of educational institutions. The court subsequently disposed of the petition.

The private school owners have been directed to approach the relevant forum for their grievances and the case has been disposed of.

On July 20, the All Pakistan Private School Association has announced that it will reopen private schools across the country from August 15.

In a press conference, the association chairperson said that the schools can no longer bear their expenses and if they remained closed for longer they are liked to shut down permanently.