PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has barred the organization of unrelated political gatherings within the premises of government offices and educational institutions.
The decision follows a petition mentioning that political activities at such venues violate constitutional provisions and disrupt the regular functioning of academic and administrative operations.
Furthermore, Justice Sahibzada Asad Ullah delivered a detailed five-page judgment, focusing on that political rallies, processions, and other unrelated gatherings are not permissible on the premises of educational institutions, government offices, and other administrative departments.
In addition, the court’s ruling underlines that officials responsible for these institutions must ensure they are not used for political purposes.
Meanwhile, authorities are obligated to take all necessary measures to prevent the misuse of government and educational facilities for political events.
“The sanctity of government and educational institutions must be maintained,” the court noted.
“These institutions have specific functions, and allowing unrelated gatherings undermines their primary purpose.”
So far, the ruling places the onus on administrators to actively prevent political activities on their premises. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences, the court indicated.
The judgment is expected to affect a range of institutions across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including schools, universities, and government departments.
However, civil society representatives also expressed support for the ruling, focusing on the importance of protecting the academic environment and ensuring uninterrupted government services.
“Educational institutions should remain spaces for learning and development, free from political pressures,” one representative said.
The PHC’s decision aligns with previous judgments emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of public institutions and prevent their misuse for political purposes. It serves as a reminder that while political engagement is a fundamental right, the use of state and educational facilities for partisan activities is not permissible.
