' This order will dispose of writ petitions Nos.2147 of 1985 and 393 of 1986 as common. Questions of law and facts are involved therein.
2. There has been a lot of debate from both the sides as to the effect of decision taken by the Academic Council of the University of the Punjab in its anxiety to maintain high educational standard and to bring about a parity between students who obtained Bachelor of Arts decrees from Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad and those from other Universities in Pakistan. It is to be noted that B.A. Degree is granted by Allama Iqbal Open University without requiring the students to study the English as a compulsory language whereas in all other Universities it is a must.
3. The learned Legal Advisor for the University of Punjab Ch.Muhammad Farooq has stated the history of tackling of this problem by the Equivalence Committee of the University of the Punjab and shown various decisions taken from time to time in order to ensure uniformity of standard. The learned Legal Advisor explains that it is not the intention of University authorities to be harsh on any body, but they are not ready to compromise in any manner to lower the educational standard in the country or to allow a class of persons to grow and have an edge over others without there being any justification for the,same.
4. Miss Angela Marcks, Advocate for petitioners, after having heard the views of the learned Legal Advisor for the University of Punjab and various decisions of Academic Council states that the petitioner's interest lies in the fact that their progress should not be impeded in a manner which is detrimental to their career. She states that the 'petitioners would appear in the subject of English language before they appear in LL.B. Final Examination.
5. The learned Legal Advisor for the University of Punjab has thought over the plea and 'he is ready to make a statement to the effect that in ease the petitioners appear and pass in the English language compulsory examination B.A. From the University of Punjab or Allama Iqbal Open University, then they would be permitted to appear in the final examination of L.L.B. Of University of Punjab.
6. Learned counsel for the petitioners is agreeable, to this and states that the petitioners shall abide by this.
' The writ petitions are accordingly disposed of in the above terms.