Corruption scandal rocks education sector in Sindh

KARACHI: The Anti-Corruption Department has issued notices to officials in the Universities and Boards Department and several educational boards in Sindh after allegations of a Rs200 million corruption scandal surfaced during the interrogation of a Mirpurkhas Board official.

The case widened after the Anti-Corruption Establishment arrested the Controller of Examinations of the Mirpurkhas Board. According to the inquiry, disclosures made during questioning significantly expanded the scope of the investigation, which now extends to nearly all education boards in the province.

Following the probe, notices were sent to serving and former chairmen of multiple educational boards, examination controllers, and officials of the Universities and Boards Department over allegations of serious financial irregularities.

According to the notices, around Rs200 million was allegedly transferred to the Universities and Boards Department within a short period in return for changes in examination results, tampering with official records, and favours in transfers and postings.

The inquiry said the money was routed through former Deputy Secretary Farhan Akhtar to the secretary of Boards and Universities.

Breakdown of alleged transfers

The notices outlined the alleged distribution of funds, stating that Rs70 million came from the Karachi Matric and Intermediate Boards, Rs40 million from the Sukkur Board, Rs40 million from the Hyderabad Board, and Rs50 million from the Shaheed Benazirabad, or Nawabshah, Board.

Officials who have been issued notices include the secretary and chairman of the Matric Board Karachi, the chairman of the Intermediate Board Karachi, Sukkur Board Chairman Zahid Ali Chunnar, and Nawabshah Board Chairman Asif Memon.

Former Deputy Secretary Farhan Akhtar, the secretary of the Nawabshah Board, Section Officer Muhammad Zubair Katbar, and the controllers of the Sukkur, Larkana, and Hyderabad boards have also been summoned.

Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Department had also called in three former chairmen of the Mirpurkhas Board and the personal secretary of a provincial minister.

Mark sheet discrepancy cited in notices

The notices also referred to a case involving a pre-medical student of the Nawabshah Board who was allegedly issued two separate mark sheets. One showed 362 marks out of 500, while the other reflected 497 marks.

Meanwhile, records had already been sought from Secretary Universities and Boards Abbas Baloch. However, it is reported that he did not appear before the inquiry officer, citing his senior grade, BPS-20, status.

The latest action by the Anti-Corruption Department indicates that the investigation, which began with the Mirpurkhas Board case, has now broadened to include officials and institutions across Sindh’s education examination system.