IHC directs ministry to decide on official holidays for Hindu employees.

Byline: SHAHID RAO

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to decide the pending application seeking official holidays for Hindu employees on the occasion of their religious festivals.

A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq issued these directions in the petition wherein it had earlier reserved the judgement after hearing the arguments.

The court stated in the verdict, 'At the very outset, learned counsel for the petitioner was confronted, as to which fundamental right of the petitioner, has been violated; in response, it was submitted that religious events of Hindus are not declared holidays. In this behalf, even an application was filed by the petitioner which is still pending before the respondents.'

It added, 'Arguments advanced by learned counsel for the petitioner have been heard and the documents, placed on record, examined with his able assistance.'

The IHC bench noted, 'The grievance of the petitioner is that Hindu religious events be declared as holidays and in this behalf, made an application to respondent No 1 (Ministry of Religious Affairs) which has not been decided so far. It is appropriate that matter be decided by the said respondent.'

It further said, 'In view of above, respondent No 1 is directed to decide pending request of the petitioner in accordance with law expeditiously.' After issuing these...