The Islamabad High Court on Friday issued notices to National Book Foundation (NBF) Managing Director Mazharul Islam and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) Director General (DG) Dr Shahnaz Riaz regarding a plea against the unavailability of textbooks to school children.
Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi heard the plea which called for ensuring ample books’ supply to students. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel, Chaudhry Khalid Mehmood apprised the bench that the shortage of textbooks was a violation of the constitution.
The petitioner revealed that classes for the new academic year had started in April 2011, but the FDE had still not provided the students with their textbooks. “The fundamental right to education is being neglected,” he maintained.
He claimed that parents had approached the relevant authorities, but to no avail and prayed that the court would act to ensure that issue’s speedy resolution.
