Some in the PTI government see no harm in allowing their prejudices to influence government policy. Last week, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's Adviser on Elementary and Secondary Education, Ziaullah Bangash, directed heads of government-run girls schools to "instruct all students to wear gown/chador to veil/conceal, cover up themselves in order to protect them from any unethical incident," adding that "the matter may be treated as most urgent and important." Pursuant to the directive the Peshawar and Haripur District Education Officers (DEOs) issued notifications to middle, high and higher secondary educational institutions telling them to ensure that all girl students wear an abaya, gown or a chador.
The move was as outrageous as it was flawed. Defending his absurd decision as being in "accordance with religion, culture and will of parents" the adviser claimed that during a recent door-to-door enrolment campaign, parents had expressed concerns about harassment and security of girl students. These arguments suggest boys and men are not to blame for involvement in incidents of sexual harassment. And that it is perfectly justified for them to get excited on the sight of a girl, whereas religious principles command that the men should lower their gaze (when close to women) and guard their modesty. Unfortunately, however, even 'properly' covered women are not spared harassment. The problem is with the culture the adviser invoked in support of his move, in which women are seen as mere sexual objects rather than equal beings. As regards the will of the parents, they should be under no pressure either way. According to the Peshawar DEO (female), most schoolgirls are already using different types of veils while going to school. Those who do not want their daughters to wear abaya or chador should also have the freedom to make that choice. It is not the business of the government to act as the morality police. If the government has a role in shaping morals, it is in eliminating gender bias and teaching students to learn to show respect to all others in society who are different from them in who they are and what they believe in.
It is good that Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has intervened to reverse his adviser's ill-conceived move. The provincial secretary for elementary and secondary education told journalists that the CM and his own department were not taken into confidence over the matter, and that as of Tuesday morning (Sept. 13) the orders issued by different DEOs stood withdrawn. He also quoted the CM as saying there was no need or urgency for such orders since the law and order situation in the province was normal, which suggested the adviser's action was a precautionary measure since in the past TTP militants have been attacking schools. But considering Bangash's own reasoning, it is an incredulous explanation.