LAHORE, March 14: : The Punjab government has rejected reports that it is considering a proposal to make hijab mandatory for college girls, hours after a statement by the provincial higher education minister.
The issue arose on Tuesday when Punjab Higher Education Minister Syed Raza Gillani proposed that college girls wearing hijab be given five per cent attendance relaxation.
“We want to give an incentive to the girls for wearing hijab,” said the minister during a meeting of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Lahore, adding that the measure was aimed at promoting hijab-culture in Punjab. But a spokesman for the provincial government quickly rejected the report, saying no such decision had been taken or was being considered by the provincial government. A spokesman for the Punjab government said academic excellence based on merit…[is] clear policy of the government of Punjab”. – Agencies
