Why promise free education when you cannot provide it, asks LHC CJ

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Azmat Saeed on Thursday sought explanation till April 11 from provincial education minister as to why no steps have been taken so far for provision of free education to children of 5 to 16 years of age under in article 25-A of constitution of 18th amendment. The court was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique questioning non-implementation of the article 25-A of the constitution.
The petitioner said the article inserted in constitution through 18th amendment guaranteed fundamental right of children to get fee education but the neither federal nor provincial government has taken required steps for doing the needful so far despite the fact that deadline set for its implementation was June 2011 last. The CJ questioned Additional Advocate General Azeem Malik why government was not implementing the article 25-A which had been passed with the consensus of all parties. The CJ observed that now after 18th Amendment, it was the responsibility of the present set up to implement the ruling. “Shortage of funds is no excuse,” the CJ said, adding “we are a country where the literacy rate is even below Africa and is declining.”
The CJ directed AAG Azeem Malik to produce secretary education before the court so that he may be asked why article 20-A is not being implemented and why children are being denied right of free education. JORDAN CJ VISITS LHC CJ: A delegation headed by Jordan CJ Justice Mohammad Almhamid called on LHC CH Azmat Saeed on Thursday. The delegation comprised of Justice Jamil Al Mahadin, Justice Abdoh Shamoot, Justice Ammar Al Huseini and ZaidAl Tlafih. “We can take advantage by sharing the experiences and knowledge of one another. It will enhance the cooperation between the judiciaries of the both countries,” the CJ said.