While hearing an intra-court appeal in the Lahore High Court to make teaching Qur’an compulsory, the court directed the Chief Secretary, Secretary Education, and Chairman Higher Education to assure Quranic teachings compulsory in their curriculum from 2021.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Shahid Waheed heard Altamash Saeed’s intra-court appeal.

Advocate General Punjab Ahmed Owais appeared for the Punjab government while Chairman Punjab Textbook Board Lt. Gen. (retd) Muhammad Akram and other officials appeared before the court.

Lawyer Aneeq Ali Khatana appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner.

The petitioner in its appeal stated that despite the lapse of three years, the Punjab Compulsory Teaching Holy Quran Act is not being implemented.

The appeal sought that the court quashes the single bench’s application and order that the teachings of the Holy Qur’an be made an integral part of the curriculum in educational institutions.

Advocate General Punjab said in the court that legislation is not possible without the approval of the cabinet, the court should issue instructions regarding making the Qur’an a compulsory subject.

Justice Shahid Waheed remarked that if the advice is not being implemented, then the court can call the Chief Minister.

“From next academic year, the Holy Quran should be taken as a compulsory subject.”

It may be recalled that in November, the petitioner approached the Court over the implementation of compulsory Quranic Teachings in all educational institutes in Pakistan.

The court then sought responses from the chairman of the Higher Education Commission and the federal secretary for religious affairs.