University student filed petition saying that laptops were being
distributed on personal liking instead of merit. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE: Hearing a
petition filed by a university student, the Lahore High Court on Tuesday
directed the convener of Youth Development Program to investigate
whether the laptops being distributed at Government University College
(GCU) were on the basis of personal liking.
Asghar Javed, a student of MPhil (Urdu) at GCU, filed a petition on
Monday claiming that the laptops being distributed as a part of the
program initiated by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif were not based
on merit.
Justice Umar Ata Bandyal, hearing the petition, ordered the convener
of the program to investigate into the issue and also ordered the
petitioner to approach the convener after seven days to resolve his
grievance. The petition was disposed of after the orders were passed.
Javed, through his counsel Advocate Rana Ali Imran, had submitted
that the laptops were being distributed on the basis of political and
personal liking. According to the merit system, students deserving
laptops should secure 60 per cent marks in annual exams and 70 per cent
in semester system, he maintained.
He added that he had cleared two semesters and gained 81.27 per cent
marks with 3.25 GPA, but was not given the laptop while three students
of the GCU, who did not fulfill the criteria, were being given laptops.
Javed further said that three students, including Saira and Saman,
are also working as lecturers at different educational institutions and
also have GPAs lower than his but have received the laptops.
He requested the court to ensure merit in distribution of these laptops.