KPK govt. withdraws dress code order for schoolgirls after public backlash

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has withdrawn the order that has instructed female students across the province to ‘cover-up’ to protect them from any ‘unethical incident’, amid severe public criticism.

Taking notice of the order, CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the provincial education department to immediately withdraw the notification.

According to the Minister for Health and Information Shaukat Yousafzai, only one district had issued this notification at the will of the parents and has now been instructed to withdraw the declaration.

However, the minister added, “The veil is part of our religion but cannot be forced”.

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Provincial Advisor on Education Ziaullah Bangash, on Monday, has said the order was passed to stop female students from being harassed on their way to school.

Defending the previous orders, Mr. Bangash said that the directive would guarantee the safety of schoolgirls.

“Donning a pardah has now been declared mandatory”, he added.

The cancellation of orders came after as the Haripur District Education Officer (DEO) Samina Altaf had issued a notification directing female school principals and headmistresses to ensure that female students don conservative clothing.

The said notice had given schools and colleges a week to implement the new rules.