The Lahore High Court (LHC) has ordered the Director Schools, Pakistan Railways to appear on September 08 positively in a petition of a terminated lady teacher and observed that the courts do not summon peoples to see their faces but the purpose of summoning is to make them realise that they are answerable to courts and they have to obey the law.
Previously the court had summoned the director twice but she did not turn up, however, on Wednesday her counsel appeared before the court. Counsel requested the court to exempt the director from personal appearance saying that the appearance of the counsel should be sufficient for the court. At this the judge admonishing the counsel said that anyone who is summoned by the court has to appear.
Petitioner Nighat Fatima submitted that she was appointed as teacher in Pakistan Railways St. Andrews High School. Later the school came under the administration of Railways and petitioner became employee of Railways due to merger of the school.
But the school authorities terminated her and 16 other teachers without telling any reason or holding any inquiry. No show cause notice was even served on her, petitioner added. She prayed to the court to set aside her termination orders after declaring illegal and without any lawful authority.