Legal Consultation on Understanding Implications of Article 25-A

KARACHI, 29th of November, 2012: Members of Civil society, Lawyers community, Youth and media gathered under the banner of Idara-e Taleem –o Aagahi at Sheraton Hotel to discuss the legal implications of Article 25- A; Right to Education. Eminent civil society members including Professor Anita Ghulam Ali, Dr. Baela Raza Jameel and Zahra Shahid were present at this event. Lawyers from reputable law firms including Dr. Sher Ali Rizvi, Sam sam Ali Khan and Salman Amjad; Sindh Bar Association together with Media personnel comprising Faisal Kareem; Geo News, Misbah Khalid; Director Producer and Faisal Amaan Khan; Director Kaptaan and Youth Parliamentarians including Varda Nisar; former Education Minister and Mizghan Kirmani; former Religious Minister were also a part of this discussion.

A group photo of all the participants vouching for the implementation of Article 25-A
After a welcome note by Dr. Baela Raza Jameel and a presentation on the legal implications of Article 25-A the floor was open to assemble recommendations for the steps to be taken to successfully implement and track the Right To Education laws being deliberated in Sindh and other areas of Pakistan. The participants agreed that the recently passed Right to free and compulsory Education Bill 2012 by the National Assembly for ICT needs comprehensive analysis and revision because of various ambiguities. Dr. Sher Ali Rizvi of Human Rights group highlighted the fact that Article 25-A has been listed under the chapter of Fundamental Rights in the Constitution granting it a de facto status of a fundamental constitutional right.

Aziz Kabani; Director Sindh Education foundation stressed that our people can come out for political rallies but no one is ready to strive for education. Moreover Faisal Aman Khan; media analyst added that there is a dire need to extend One Million Signature campaign to One Million March in order to assure the implementation of Article 25-A. Warda Nisar; former education minister Youth Parliament pointed out that to improve the standards of public schools the children of all the ministers should be enrolled there. Various groups including PILER, Youth Parliamentarians, Karachi Bar Association, Human Rights group of Pakistan, Sindh Education Foundation, HANDS, Electronic/Print/Social media, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Lawyers community pledged their support for every step that is needed to analyze and implement the Right To Education bill.

Prof. Anita Ghulam Ali concluded the session by presenting the necessary recommendations and steps to be taken. All the participants agreed to these recommendations which included formation of a dedicated group to proof read the Right To Education Bill and to address the shortcomings and ambiguities. Furthermore this group shall propose an amended ‘Shadow Right To Education bill’ to the speaker Sindh provincial assembly for in house discussion and approval. There was a consensus among the participants for the formation of Education Law Centre in Pakistan for which various lawyer communities have pledged their support.