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KARACHI, July 22: The Sindh government’s decision to ban associations of teachers and staff in academic institutions of the province has been strongly condemned by human rights organizations, political parties and people from a cross-section of society.
In a statement, the secretary-general of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Iqbal Haider, expressing his shock and condemnation stated that the decision of the Sindh government had exposed its utter disregard to rights and entitlement of teachers and staff to form associations, and it is violative of Articles 16, 17 & 25 of the Constitution, as well as violation of all norms of civilized governance, human rights and all laws.
Mr Haider stated that already the teachers and staff in the academic institutions of Sindh were working under most unfavourable and appalling conditions and now the Sindh government wanted to deprive teachers and employees of their right to pursue their demands and seek relief to their grievances, through concerted efforts from the platform of their unions and associations. “There cannot be any two opinions that peace, harmony, congenial atmosphere, protection of rights and interests of the people and staff was imperative for smooth and productive functioning of the academic institutions.
Such decisions of the Sindh government would further deteriorate the working conditions and atmosphere in academic institutions of Sindh, he said. Consequently, not only teachers and staff but also all students studying there would suffer irreparable harm and loss.
Mr Haider warned that the Sindh government had no authority to deny teachers and staff of their rights guaranteed under the Constitution.
He called upon the Sindh government to forthwith withdraw this imprudent unconstitutional and most harmful decision in the interest of the people of Sindh, as well as the academic institutions.
The provincial government’s decision has also been criticised by the Pakistan People’s Party. Taj Haider registered his party’s condemnation and termed it a dictatorial decision.
He said the provincial government had claimed that teachers and non-teaching staff in the province were engaged in politicking. He asked whether in Pakistan only the army chief a few generals had the right to do politics.
BAR COUNCIL: Chairman of Human Rights Committee, Sindh Bar Council Aaqil Lodhi, strongly condemned the ban on unions of teachers and education department employees in Sindh.
He was of view that the Sindh government had failed to clarify under which law the ban had been imposed. He felt this was an open violation of basic rights guaranteed to citizens by the Constitution, and Article 20 of UN Charter for Human Rights.
He demanded of the government to immediately remove ban on teachers' unions.
Pasban Pakistan leaders Usman Moazam and Rafiq Ahmed Khaskheli condemned the ban on teachers' organizations.
The government was paving way to privatize educational institutions by banning teachers' organizations and to turn them into a profit-giving industry.
Usman Moazzam and Rafiq Ahmed Khaskheli accused the government of depriving the country of young leadership by banning unions and association and thus weakening the foundations of the country.
Teachers: Teachers in the city have expressed concern over Sindh government's decision to debar teachers from undertaking "union activities" and held that it was aimed at only giving protection to individuals at the helm of affairs.
They said teachers had never been a threat to academic activities or educational standards in the province, but it was the education department hierarchy itself which was feeling itself endangered due to its wrong policies and faulty implementation of plans.
The decision to impose ban on group activities of teachers was the worst kind of rights violation and gives a clear message that the education department wanted to victimise teaching and non-teaching community throughout the province.
Prof Manzoor Chishti, senior vice-president of All-Pakistan Professors and Lecturers' Association, said the notification pertaining to imposition of ban on associations of teachers and other employees of the Sindh education department was uncalled for and a sheer unjust move to undermine the democratic norms and was meant to deprive teachers of their constitutional right.
“There is no such ban in other provinces and government teaching and non-teaching staffs of education department were enjoying freedom, along with employees of other departments,” he added and said that teachers would challenge the decision in the courts of law.
A broad-based meeting of the office-bearers of APPLA in other province will be held soon to discuss the issue and soon a country-wide movement would be launched to rectify the situation.
The chief of the Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association said a meeting of the provincial executive council of the association would be held in a couple of days to consider the education department's move and to formulate a future action plan against the ban.
