LAHORE: The Punjab caretaker government’s decision to lease out Lawrence Road testing centers for non-educational uses was overturned by the Lahore High Court on Thursday.
The order granting a plea submitted by Kashif Shahzad, the president of the Punjab Teachers’ Union, and others was issued by Justice Shahid Karim.
On behalf of the petitioners, advocate Mian Dawood contended that the Punjab government’s decision to rent out the test centers’ building was a result of financial losses.
He said that in addition, the government had rented out the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) test centers in response to complaints about traffic congestion on Lawrence Road.
He maintained that the idea that property allotted for educational purposes cannot be used for any other purpose had long been established by the superior courts.
Samia Khalid, the Additional Advocate General, contended that the government was entitled to rent the premises.
When asked why the law officer wanted to rent out the exam centers, she replied that the Higher Education Department’s (HED) employees would be moving into the structure.
Judge Karim saw the law officer’s response as the government’s acknowledgement that it was seeking the building for uses other than education.
The judge noted that the documentation demonstrated that the BISE was compelled by the government to rent the testing center’s building.
Mehboob Sheikh, the BISE attorney, said the board might lease out its real estate.
The petitioners’ attorney countered that the board could lease its properties, but solely for instructional uses.
The government was ordered by the judge to formally advertise if it want to lease the examination centers’ building, but solely for instructional uses.
