Karachi Board changes examinations controller days before matric exams

Karachi: The Sindh provincial Department of Universities and Boards has changed the Controller of Examinations at the Board of Secondary Education Karachi just four days before the start of matriculation examinations, according to an official notification issued by the secretary of universities and boards.

Under the order, Zia-ul-Haq has been replaced and Ahmed Khan Chhutto has been posted as Controller of Examinations on a one-year deputation. The newly appointed officer previously served as Inspector of Institutions at the Larkana Board.

The development comes at a sensitive time for the Karachi matric board, which is the largest educational board in the province in terms of student enrollment. More than 300,000 candidates are due to appear in Class 9 and 10 examinations under the board.

Ahmed Khan Chhutto does not have prior experience of conducting examinations. Even so, he has now been assigned responsibility at a stage when key pre-exam arrangements are still incomplete.

The matriculation examinations in Karachi are scheduled to begin on April 7. However, the process of centre fixation and the issuance of admit cards is still pending. These tasks will now be handled under the supervision of the newly posted controller.

Previous appointment at Karachi board

This is not the first time Ahmed Khan Chhutto has been appointed to a major examinations role in Karachi. He had earlier shown interest in serving at Karachi boards.

A few months ago, he was also appointed as Controller of Examinations at the Inter Board Karachi. However, he reportedly encountered major difficulties in taking charge there and eventually returned without formally beginning his duties.

The latest posting marks the second time he has been appointed to a key examinations position linked to Karachi’s matric board system.

Concerns over timing

The timing of the transfer has drawn attention because it has come only days before annual examinations are set to begin. With centre fixation and admit cards still awaiting completion, the board now faces the task of finalising arrangements under a new controller.

The appointment was made without selecting a qualified candidate on merit through an advertisement. Instead, an officer from the Larkana Board was brought in on deputation to fill the post.

Given the scale of the Karachi board’s operations and the number of students appearing in the examinations, the change in leadership immediately before the exams has raised concerns about the smooth conduct of the process.