Fee waiver in flood-hit areas: Chief Justice LHC seeks replies from education secretaries

Chief Justice Lahore High Court, Khawaja Muhammad Sharif again sought replies from federal and Punjab education secretaries in a petition seeking fee waiver for the students belonging to flood-hit areas of Punjab. The chief justice on September 20 had sought replies from both the secretaries, which were not submitted. Only on behalf of higher education commission (HEC) reply was submitted.
It was stated in the reply that the petition was not maintainable, as the fee issue had no concern with HEC. It was further stated that the fee concession could be given if the federal government provided some financial assistance. Petitioner Rana Asadullah said that flood had played havoc with properties and lives of citizen in Southern Punjab as floodwater inundated huge area and thousands of people had become homeless who were lying in open sky as their flood had destroyed houses.
He submitted that affected people were living on their aid and had not source of making bread and butter. He submitted that a large number of students belonging to flood hit areas were studying in different educational institutions run by federal and provincial governments.
He submitted that most of these students who had to deposit fee for new semester to continue their studies but their families were unable to pay fees due to financial constraints. He said that due to non-payment of fees these students would not be able to continue their studies. He said that some students have submitted applications for fee waiver in their institutions but no action has been taken so far.
He pleaded that under article 2-A of the constitution education is fundamental right of every citizen and no one can be deprived of this right. He asserted that it was responsibility of state to provide education to its citizens and it cannot deviate from its responsibility. He requested to direct authorities concerned to waive fees of students belonging to flood hit areas to protect future of these students.