High Court Seeks Report on Steps Against Bullying in Educational Institutes

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday requested a report from the Punjab School Education Department on actions taken to address physical bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment of students in educational institutions across the province.

Justice Jawad Hassan issued the order while hearing a public interest petition filed by lawyer Sabah Farooq, who seeks government intervention to ensure a safe educational environment in schools. Representing the petitioner, Barrister Ahmad Pansota explained that, as both a practicing lawyer and a mother, Farooq approached the court in line with constitutional provisions.

The petitioner’s daughter, who also joined the petition, voiced concerns over the lack of legislation addressing physical bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment within schools and through online forums.

To establish her standing in the matter, Advocate Farooq explained that the petition aimed to emphasize how formal education methods have evolved post-COVID, with many institutions utilizing online platforms for schooling. This shift has replaced traditional playgrounds with social media spaces like WhatsApp, where children now interact.

Farooq argued that the rise in social media use has contributed to increased cyberbullying, thereby placing responsibility on authorities to ensure students’ safety in both physical and online interactions.

Justice Hassan issued notices to the respondents, instructing a provincial law officer to gather responses from relevant authorities by the next hearing on Nov 4. The judge also ordered the secretary of the school education department to ensure the presence of a senior officer at the next hearing to outline the government’s actions taken to curb physical bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment in schools.