The Lahore High Court has made a significant development in a contempt of court case regarding non-payment of salaries to over a hundred Class-IV school employees, including sweepers. The court has ordered the Secretary School Education Punjab and other relevant officials of the education department to appear in person.
Justice Khalid Ishaq, while issuing a written order on the petition filed by female sweeper Zahida Bibi, directed the Secretary School Education Punjab to appear personally at the next hearing. The Chief Executive Officer and District Education Officer have also been summoned to appear before the court.
According to the petitioner, more than a hundred Class-IV employees have not been paid salaries for several months, prompting them to approach the court. The court had earlier issued clear directions on June 18, 2025, to the education department to ensure payment of salaries to all affected employees; however, the order has not yet been implemented.
During the hearing, the court expressed strong displeasure over non-compliance with its orders and hinted at initiating contempt proceedings against the Secretary School Education and other concerned officials. The court stated that the authorities are being given a “last opportunity” to comply with the court’s directions.
The court further clarified that if the order is not implemented by the next hearing, all respondents will have to appear in person and proceedings under contempt of court law may be initiated against them.
The petitioner, Zahida Bibi, has requested the court to take action against the responsible officials for disobeying court orders and to ensure immediate payment of salaries to the affected employees.
The next hearing of the case is scheduled for May 5, where further progress in this important matter concerning the rights of lower-grade government school employees is expected.