Tazeen Akhtar
Punjab Government’s policy about mentioning the religion “Muslim or Non Muslim” in the admission form for Matriculation examination has not only disturbed the smoothly going on education system at the schools but raised challenges, uncalled for, to the society and state as well. The policy has created problems for schools’ and local administrations especially in case of the students belonging to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya . Two consecutive issues have emerged in last two months in Punjab. One in Attock and Second in Hafizabad. When National Database and Registration Authority NADRA already maintains record of the parents’ religion, why Punjab government needs the declaration in the exams that brings nothing but isolation to the Non Muslim students and that at their young age when they are just innocent students?
Hafizabad case was reported in Pakistani press on 08 Oct 2022 while Attock case was highlighted in Indian press mainly including Press Trust of India and lifted by Friday Times of Pakistan in late Sep this year and the same case was referred to Ministry of Human Rights from Rabwa Center of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. The ministry sent the matter to National Commission on the Rights of Child that held a hearing on 31 Oct 2022 and addressed the matter accordingly.
National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC)has issued directions to Deputy Commissioner Attock in this regard after detail hearing to the lawyer of the students with all concerned present including A.C Fateh Jang+Jundd, CEO Education Attock, Principal of “Educators” Mithyal. The parents of the students were not present and the names of the students have not been disclosed for their privacy.
The chairperson NCRC, Afshan Tehseen Bajwa noted that the students are only students. They deserve level playing field everywhere, from their institutes to the play grounds. She said,” We are referring the case to DC Attock to hear the parents personally and do the needful. The NCRC has sought report from the DC in two weeks that will be discussed in the next hearing on 21 Nov 2022, that follows the International Children Day 20 Nov.
NCRC can raise the policy matter of declaration of religion for the students with Punjab government separately.
Regarding Attock district case, the Educators (franchise) of Mithyal town in Tehsil Jundd was the institution where the disturbance occurred only when the school had to send the admissions for board exams. Here , the Principal found herself perplexed on the policy matter of Punjab government. The students were learning Quran and writing themselves Muslims. On the other hand, (NADRA) already contains the record of the parents who registered themselves there as Non Muslim.
The Principal Ms Kulsum Awan, called the parents and asked them weather to write Muslim or Non Muslim in the forms? Here the parents responded in another way instead of replying according to the set policy. They asked for withdrawal (being termed as Expelled) certificates with writing ” The students are being withdrawn on the basis of their Qadiani Religion, The institution is unable to continue their study.”
It is worth mentioning that there are options for Muslim and Non Muslim students. Muslims take the exam of Islamyat while the Non Muslim chose Ethics subject in routine matter. Therefore it was natural and in good faith from the Principal to ask the parents which option you select.
At the hearing, the Principal took stand that only the parents of the students were bent upon taking this writing otherwise there was no issue to school or the students had no problem to face there.
Assistant Commissioner Fateh Jang with charge of Jundd Tehsil, CEO Education Attock witnessed that there is no issue for Ahmadia students in anywhere in the whole area. Many other students of same faith are studying and living without any isolation or discrimination, whatsoever.
The lawyer of Rabwa Center alleged that the 4 “expelled” students and their parents are facing social boycott by the society. He also mentioned that two of them have left the area for their security.
Assistant Commissioner assured the NCRC that neither the situation like what the lawyer mentioned exists nor anyone will be allowed to target the families. He said, “We have no report so far that anyone has left the area.”
NCRC asked the lawyer of the students about what you seek from the government of Pakistan? He replied, ” The students should be provided equal education environment in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan, at their living place.” The Tehsil Administration , CEO Education shared, ” School is ready for that and the students have been given 3 months exemption of fee as well.”
The principal said,” We have neither expelled them nor we have any objection on their return. They are our students as the others are. They have studied in our school for last many years. We have no problem with them and they have no issue with us.”
Chairperson and the members of the NCRC sensitized the principal that she had no right to give written certificate or letter to anyone about his/her religion. It is already mentioned in the record of NADRA. Such type of letters/ certificates can be used against the state to make a case of persecution of minorities in Pakistan.
Here it was worth noting that the number of students is 4 and only 2 needed the admission to metric exam while 2 are in lower classes. But the parents of all 4 asked for written certificate from the Principal that ” The students are being withdrawn on the basis of their Qadiani Religion, The institution is unable to continue their study.”
