Islamabad:
Islamabad High Court (IHC) has reserved his verdict on a petition filed by a seminar risteous student who was prevented from taking an exam due to his short beard.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, while hearing the case on Friday, questioned the legal status of Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia and noted that children were the future of Pakistan and could not be denied religious or secular education.
“According to what law is Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia assignment of degrees?” He asked.
The petitioner said he had passed the first -level exam from Jamia Islamia, but was denied permission to take the exam at the next level due to a faulty interpretation of the investigative rules regarding beard length.
Senior Attorney Kamran Murtaza, assistant legal lawyer and officials from the Ministry of Education appeared in court.
The bench asked if students who hold degrees from Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia receive the same facilities as those from other educational institutions.
“The basic question is: What will be the legal status of a degree awarded by Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia?” Justice asked Kayani.
The judge also asked under which law Wafaqul Madaris al-Arabia registered other institutions under its authority. With reference to Supreme Court Law decisions on regulation of law and medical colleges, he noted that no institution can now admit more than 100 students in law programs.
With contacting the assistant attorney observed justice Kayani: “You regulate seminars but you do not manage how the education system will work.”
Officials from the Ministry of Education stated the court that the registration process for seminars across the country was underway.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on the student’s petition.
