Govt told to bear education expenses of children
Karachi :September 10: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday directed the federal and provincial governments to bear the educational expenses of children of all missing persons.
The direction came from a division bench, headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam, at a hearing of a petition filed by a woman, Beena Khalid, seeking to ascertain the whereabouts of her husband, Khalid Shamim.
Shamim, 40, is an account officer of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, who allegedly masterminded the murder of MQM leader Dr Imran Farooq in London about three years ago and was whisked away by security officials from the Karachi airport after his return.
The petitioner submitted that her husband was picked up by personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in the Malir Halt area on January 6, 2011. However, she later informed the court that as per media reports Shamim along with other suspects was taken into custody by the LEAs at the Karachi airport in August 2011 in connection with the assassination of Dr Farooq, who was killed in London on September 16, 2010. She said the LEAs were, however, not disclosing the whereabouts of her husband.
Police and other officials filed statements with the court, stating that the whereabouts of Shamim had not yet been known. The high court observed that it was insisted by the petitioner that her husband was in the custody of the LEAs. It said it would observe this aspect after hearing the amicus curiae.
The woman said she was facing financial problems due to the detention of her spouse and was not able to support her son, Hunnain, and bear the expenses of his education. The court observed that the dispensation of the right to education was a fundamental right of every child. It said that the advocate general of Sindh and the deputy attorney general would ensure that the education expenses of not only Hunnain but also the children of all other missing persons were borne by the provincial government.
The court told the petitioner to provide the details of the education to the provincial government. It said it should be the responsibility of the state to look after families undergoing the agony of their dear ones having gone missing.
The petitioner also stated that the Karachi Electric Supply Compnay was regularly issuing exorbitant bills for unconsumed electricity. The court observed that although such requests were not considered in such matters, looking at the plight of the petitioner, a woman, a notice should be issued to the KESC with the direction not to disconnect the electricity of her house.The news.
