The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday requested a comprehensive report from the School Education Department (SED) Punjab on measures being taken to combat physical bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment in educational institutions across the province. The directive was issued by Justice Jawad Hassan during a hearing on a public interest petition aimed at fostering safer school environments for students.
The petition, filed by lawyer Sabah Farooq, urged the court to compel the provincial government to take effective action against bullying. Barrister Ahmad Pansota, representing Farooq, explained that the lawyer, who is also a mother, filed the petition under constitutional provisions to safeguard students’ rights to a safe and conducive learning environment.
The petitioner’s daughter, present in court as a co-petitioner, expressed concern over the absence of robust legislation targeting bullying in both physical and online contexts within schools. She highlighted that many students are exposed to harassment not only on school premises but also on social media platforms, where interactions are increasingly taking place.
Advocate Farooq pointed to how the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed educational dynamics, with a substantial shift towards online learning. As a result, platforms such as WhatsApp and other social media spaces have become new gathering grounds for students, increasing their exposure to cyberbullying. She argued that with this shift, authorities bear an elevated responsibility to protect students from digital threats as well as physical harassment.
Justice Hassan ordered the respondents to provide detailed responses by the next hearing on November 4. Additionally, he directed the secretary of the school education department to ensure the presence of a senior official who could outline the government’s specific strategies and actions to address bullying and harassment in schools.
The case highlights rising concerns over student safety in both traditional and digital educational environments, reflecting broader societal shifts toward addressing and preventing bullying through comprehensive legislative and administrative action.