Latest news with #ZindagiTrust
Express Tribune
27-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Justice sought for madrassa student killed by teacher
Renowned social activist and Zindagi Trust founder Shehzad Roy has called for justice in the tragic death of 14-year-old Farhan, who was allegedly beaten to death by a teacher at a madrassa in Swat district of Khyber-Pakhtunlhwa. In a video message shared on social media, Roy condemned the act and urged parents and students to speak out against corporal punishment in all educational institutions. Referring to the now-defunct Section 89 of the Pakistan Penal Code - which previously allowed teachers to use physical punishment for a child's "benefit" - Roy stated that such legal cover for abuse no longer exists. He stressed that no teacher has the right to hit a student, whether in a school or madrassa, and that any such act is now a punishable offense under the law. "Farhan, a young student from Khwazakhela, lost his life to a teacher's brutality. This cannot and will not go unpunished," Roy said. He added that his purpose in making the video was not just to highlight Farhan's case, but to help prevent similar tragedies in the future. Roy explained that Zindagi Trust had filed a constitutional petition against Section 89 in the Islamabad High Court. The chief justice ruled in favour of the petition, declaring the law unconstitutional. "This law was repeatedly misused," Roy said, citing past incidents where students suffered permanent injuries or died due to violent beatings by teachers. He criticised the culture of silence and impunity surrounding such abuse, urging children to confide in their parents and for families to report such incidents without fear. "Some teachers still defend their violence by saying it was for the child's good - but this is nothing short of cruelty," he said. Roy also thanked the K-P police chief for arresting the teacher accused in Farhan's death. In the end, he appealed to society: "We all share the responsibility to protect our children and to ensure that no more lives are lost to such senseless violence."
Express Tribune
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Teen champ checkmates CM
In a thrilling showdown, Pakistan's Under-18 National Chess Champion Mehak Maqbool has outmaneuvered the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, checkmating him in just a few moves. Mehak recently secured the title at the National Youth Chess Championship organised by the Chess Federation of Pakistan. The CM played a chess match against the shining star Mehak Maqbool at the CM House on Saturday. Just after a few moves, Mehak checkmated the CM Shah, although he played quite aggressively as well. The CM announced Rs 100,000 for each winner, who included Mehak Maqbool - first place in the U-18 category (SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, adopted by Zindagi Trust), Yamna Siddiqui - second place in the U-14 category (Govt SMB Fatima Jinnah School), and Alina Siddiqui - third place in the U-12 category (from the same school). Riya Manji participated in the Karachi Under-10 category, and Muhammad Essa Hussain competed in the under-eight and under-nine categories at Sivita School. Mehak Maqbool is a student at SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, which is adopted by Zindagi Trust. This event represents a significant milestone in recognising the immense talent emerging from government schools and in challenging stereotypes about intellectual sports in Pakistan. Speaking at the event, the CM shared his pride in the young champions, emphasising that their achievements are a testament to the transformative power of quality education and exposure to strategic disciplines like chess. "Although I lost today, I couldn't be prouder. Witnessing students from our own government schools excel at the national level is a victory for all of us," he remarked. During the event, the President of Zindagi Trust introduced a comprehensive chess curriculum designed for students in grades third to eighth. This curriculum, available for adoption by all schools across Sindh and Pakistan, aims to establish chess as an academic discipline. It seeks to promote critical thinking, strategic planning, and intellectual development among students nationwide.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Government school student سtuns Sindh CM, Wins chess match in just 15 moves
In a remarkable display of skill, an under-18 chess champion and a student from a government school defeated the Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah, in just 15 moves. According to Express News, the match took place at the Chief Minister's House between Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah and Mahak Maqbool, a student of SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School. Several prominent figures attended the event, including Sindh's Education Minister Sardar Shah, Sports Minister Muhammad Bux Mahar, Secretary of Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary of Sports Aleem Lashari, Aga Khan Foundation's Sultan Alana, Zindagi Trust's Shehzad Roy, and CM's Secretary Rahim Sheikh. Mahak Maqbool, Pakistan's under-18 chess champion, secured victory in just 15 moves, outplaying the Chief Minister. Following the match, Murad Ali Shah congratulated Mahak on her outstanding performance and acknowledged her as a shining example of the quality education provided in government schools. Mahak recently won the National Youth Chess Championship, solidifying her position as one of the country's top young chess players. She is a student of SMB Fatima Jinnah Government School, a public institution managed under the Sindh government and supported by Zindagi Trust.
