The Peshawar High Court has issued a significant ruling that prohibits political gatherings and activities on the premises of government educational institutions throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This decision comes as a response to growing concerns about the disruption of academic activities and the potential damage to educational infrastructure during political events.
Court's Detailed Ruling and Implementation
In a comprehensive judgment delivered on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, the PHC explicitly banned all forms of political gatherings, rallies, and meetings from being held at government-run educational institutions. The court emphasized that educational premises must remain dedicated solely to academic purposes and should not be used as venues for political activities that could interfere with the learning environment.
The ruling applies to all government educational institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including schools, colleges, and universities that fall under provincial administration. This decision aims to protect the sanctity of educational spaces and ensure that students' right to education remains uncompromised by political activities.
Background and Rationale Behind the Ban
The court's decision stems from multiple complaints and petitions filed by various stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and educational administrators. These complaints highlighted how political gatherings often resulted in damage to school property, disruption of academic schedules, and security concerns for students and staff members.
Educational institutions reported that political events frequently led to the cancellation of classes, damage to furniture and buildings, and created an environment unsuitable for learning. The court recognized these concerns as legitimate and took decisive action to address them through this blanket prohibition.
Expected Impact and Enforcement Measures
The implementation of this ban is expected to have far-reaching consequences for political parties and their organizational strategies. Political groups that previously relied on educational institution premises for their gatherings will now need to find alternative venues for their events and rallies.
Law enforcement agencies and educational authorities have been directed to ensure strict compliance with the court's order. Any attempts to violate this ban will be met with appropriate legal action, and responsible parties will be held accountable for any breaches of the court's directive.
The court has also instructed the provincial education department to issue circulars to all government educational institutions, informing them about the ban and outlining the procedures to follow if any political group attempts to use their premises for gatherings.
This landmark decision is being welcomed by educational communities across the province, who see it as a crucial step toward protecting academic environments from political interference and ensuring that educational institutions can fulfill their primary mission of providing quality education without disruptions.
