ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday extended the stay in a matter related to repatriation of teachers from provinces working in the federal capital under the wedlock policy to their parent institutions.

Hearing petitions filed by the teachers, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah observed that apparently the teachers were transferred in contradiction to the wedlock policy.

The petitioners working in schools under the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) asserted that they had been performing to the satisfaction of the competent authority since a long time. Some have been working in the capital since 2006 and the competent authority from time to time extended the period of their stay in the capital.

“The impugned orders clearly show that the wedlock policy was not considered. The impugned orders further show that in each individual case, the facts and circumstances were not taken into consideration,” the court noted.

The deputy attorney general has sought adjournment so as to further assist the court, said the court order.

The court directed the registrar office to issue notice to the respondents for filing a report and para-wise comments.

The court sought explanation from the deputy attorney general about “the wisdom behind filling the posts yet again through transfer on the basis of deputation.”

Counsel for the petitioners adopted before the court that the teachers, mostly females, had been serving in Islamabad for 15 to 20 years but no one raised any objection to it.

The lawyers told the court that the FDE had overlooked the wedlock policy entirely due to which several families were affected. On the other hand, the Constitution guarantees protection to the rights of women and children.

The counsel said Constitution guarantees that the protection of rights of children and women will be ensured. But FDE misinterpreted the court’s orders regarding deputation and issued orders for repatriation of 250 male and female teachers working in Islamabad under the wedlock policy. This act runs contrary to law and the Constitution, they added.

While maintaining status quo, the court adjourned hearing of the case till Feb 17.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2021