SAHIWAL: Around two dozen district bar associations and more than 50 tehsil bar associations across Punjab have passed resolutions condemning provincial education minister Rana Sikandar Hayat for making “derogatory remarks” against teachers in a public function.

According to the bars, addressing an event organised by private schools owners a few days ago, the minister had allegedly accused teachers of stealing fans and tablets, patronising cheating in exams, absenteeism and other corrupt practices.

Earlier, various school and college teachers’ associations had also condemned the minister’s remarks on social media platforms.

Responding to the criticism, the minister had clarified in a social media post that 70-75 per cent of Punjab’s teachers were honest and that his comments targeted only the the corrupt ones. However, despite the minister’s clarification, the backlash did not subside.

The legal fraternity of Punjab has now joined the school and college teachers in their protest, passing resolutions against the minister for “disgracing teachers”.

The resolutions have been passed by the district bars of Dera Ghazi Khan, Hafizabad, Muzaffargarh, Lodhran, Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Kot Addu, Layyah, Mandi Bahuddin, Bahawalpur, Rajanpur, Gujrat, Taunsa Sharif, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Okara, Sahiwal and Lahore Bar Association.

The resolution passed by the Lahore Bar Association in its June 29 meeting, says the minister should apologies for his remarks on the Punjab Assembly floor. It further stressed that the minister must exercise caution and refrain from using such language against teachers in the future as they represent the most respectable profession.

Similarly, the resolution passed by Taunsa bar, signed by its president Ishtiaq Ahmed Lashari and secretary general Farhat Raza, states that the minister had used “objectionable, insulting, and disgraceful remarks against the teachers community”.

Despite repeated phone calls and text messages sent on his mobile phone, Rana Sikandar Hayat did not respond to Dawn’s queries regarding his stance.

Regarding a video clip circulating on social media, showing the minister offering an apology, a senior leader of All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA), Punjab, told Dawn on condition of anonymity, that the clip was not recent and has nothing to do with teachers’ protest.

He said the clip was recorded a year ago when Mr Hayat had apologised to Amjad Ali Javed following a controversial debate.

“AGEGA leaders demands a fresh, public apology from the minister,” he added.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026