Govt orders cybercrime probe into Cambridge paper leak controversy

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Thursday directed the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency to launch a comprehensive investigation, in coordination with Cambridge International Education, into the alleged leakage of examination papers during the ongoing Cambridge assessment session in Pakistan.

The move came a day after Cambridge confirmed that another A-Level Mathematics paper had circulated online before the examination, triggering widespread concern among students and parents.

A high-level meeting chaired by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha was held at the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control to review the situation.

During the meeting, officials from the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training briefed participants on growing concerns surrounding the alleged leakage of Cambridge O-Level and A-Level Mathematics papers.

According to the ministry’s statement, the British deputy high commissioner informed the meeting that the issue appeared to involve theft rather than a formal leak of examination material.

Representatives of Cambridge International Assessment Education reiterated that the organisation maintained strict examination standards and was working to determine the extent of the breach and decide the next course of action.

The interior secretary expressed serious concern over the incident and directed the NCCIA to conduct a thorough investigation in coordination with Cambridge authorities, stressing the need for transparency and swift action to maintain public confidence.

The meeting also decided that Cambridge would further strengthen its examination systems to address vulnerabilities and prevent future breaches.

The controversy erupted after reports emerged that an A-Level Mathematics paper scheduled for May 12 had circulated on social media hours before the exam. Students later claimed the same paper was distributed inside examination halls.

Earlier, another A-Level Mathematics paper conducted on April 29 was also leaked, prompting Cambridge International Education to cancel the AS Level Mathematics (9709/12) exam in certain administrative zones and announce a retake examination.

Following the latest incident, Cambridge also postponed the AS Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709) examination scheduled in Pakistan on Friday as investigations continue into the repeated breaches.