IHC bans corporal punishment for children at educational institutions

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday ordered a complete ban on corporal punishment in educational institutions in the federal capital territory and suspended Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Hearing a petition filed by Chairman Zindagi Trust Shehzad Roy to ban physical punishment and torture over school students, the IHC suspended section 89 and served notices to concerned authorities.

Roy’s counsel Shahab Usto in his arguments before the IHC’s Chief Justice Athar Minallah said it has become a routine to physically punishment students under the name of discipline and media is airing such news on almost daily basis.

Usto said Pakistan stands 154th on the list related to child rights protection out of 182 countries of the world. The court was pleaded to pass orders in line with the United Nations Convention.

IHC CJ, Justice Athar Minallah remarked the National Assembly has also passed such bill banning physical punishment to the students at school. Terming the plea in the public interest, he issued the notices to secretaries of Home, Law, Education, Human Rights ministries and the IGP Islamabad.

Read more: Karachi: Student ‘tortured’ by school teacher seeks justice

The further hearing into the plea was adjourned till March 5.

Talking to newsmen outside the IHC, after the hearing along with his counsel Shahab Osto, Shahzad Roy regretted over presence of the law, which allows physical torture over students.

He said torture over school students ends in severe loss and the act is regarded as a severe crime in many countries of the world.

Roy said torture over school students is against the constitution of Pakistan.