Hearing pleas against the closure of Basic Education Community Schools and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the federal government to submit until today (Friday) detailed report over utilization of Rs66 billion, which it collected under the head of Iqra surcharge.
A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Parvez was hearing a set of petitions filed by one Fiaqat Hussain and others against closure of a project namely Establishment and Operation of Basic Education Community Schools.
Appearing on notice, Attorney General of Pakistan Justice (r) Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq sought one day’s time to take instructions from the government over the issue. The court gave him the time and told him to submit the reply on Friday (today).
The chief justice said the amount collected under the Iqra surcharge was supposed to be spent on education but it was being spent on other things. He said it was similar to the levy imposed on petroleum sales. He said the levy on petroleum was meant for increasing petroleum production, however it too was being spent under other heads, thus causing continual increase in petroleum prices.
Appearing on notice, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) chairman submitted a report over the Iqra surcharge and told the court that since 1985 to 1995 Rs 66 billion had been collected under the head of Iqra surcharge. The court then asked the finance secretary to tell where this huge amount had been spent. The secretary promised to submit a report on the expenses today on Friday.
Former attorney general Makhdoom Ali Khan, who is assisting the court over the issue of community schools, said that despite the passage of 18th Amendment, devolution of various institutions linked with research, technical education and special training was not possible, thus the community school system would remain under the federal government.
