Corruption and nepotism: Three heads of examination boards sacked

On the other hand, Khursheed Shah’s brother gets extension as chairperson of BISE, Sukkur

KARACHI: In a major reshuffle, the Sindh government terminated the services of three chairpersons of examination boards in Karachi amid serious allegations of corruption and nepotism. Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Sukkur, who is the younger brother of Opposition Leader in National Assembly Khursheed Shah, was given an extension in his term while an associate professor was appointed as the chairperson of the BISE, Larkana.

According to a notification issued by universities and boards secretary Naveed Ahmed Shaikh on Friday night, the decision to terminate the services of Akhter Ghori, the chairperson of the Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi (BIEK), Anwar Ahmed Zai, the chairperson of the Board of Secondary Education, Karachi (BSEK), and Fasihuddin Khan, the chairperson of Sindh Board of Technical Education (SBTE), Karachi, was made with the approval of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, who heads the boards and universities after the 18th Amendment.

Official sources said that there were serious allegations against Zai, who earlier served as the chairperson of Mirpurkhas education board where he reportedly bungled massive funds, tampered with students’ results and illegally appointed many people on various positions. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested him in August and he is still in the bureau’s custody.

Regarding Ghori, sources said that the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) conducted the raid at the intermediate board office and submitted in its report to the chief minister the recommendation to remove Ghori from service as he was apparently involved in wrongdoing and malpractices in the board. The anti-corruption officials, after confiscating the board records, have also registered cases against board officials. In its report, the ACE also asked the chief minister to take action against Imran Chishti, the examinations controller of BIEK. However, he continues to enjoy the coveted post.

Officials further told The Express Tribune that these officers, including Khan, were appointed a year ago on contractual basis by the then chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, on the recommendation of Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan.

Replacements

The notification said that the search committee, in its decision and with the approval of the chief minister, has appointed Dr Saeeduddin, a professor in grade 20, as the chairperson of BSEK for three years in Zai’s place.

Meanwhile, Prof Inam Ahmed has been appointed as the chairperson of BIEK in place of Ghori.  Similarly, the principal of Sindh Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (Stevta), Dr Masroor A Shaikh, was appointed as the chairperson of SBTE, Karachi, for three years on the recommendation of the search committee and after approval of the chief minister.

Extension secured

However, the situation in the Sukkur board is different from Karachi. The search committee, with the approval of the chief minister, has decided to continue with the services of Syed Ghulam Mujtaba Shah, the younger brother of Khursheed Shah, as chairperson of BISE, Sukkur. He has been serving in the board since 1999. Initially, Shah was working as a lecturer in Islamia College, Sukkur, wherefrom he was posted as colleges inspector and later as the secretary of the board. He became the chairperson in 2011. After his retirement in 2014, the government continued his services on contract, which was due to expire in November this year. Nevertheless, the search committee has now inducted him on the same position for another three years. “A few days ago, Khursheed Shah held a meeting with the chief minister and requested him to continue the services of his brother,” said a senior official in the Sindh government, adding that the appointment is against the Supreme Court’s judgement against reemployment.

New in Larkana

In Larkana, associate professor Ahmed Ali Brohi has been appointed to replace Dawood Memon as chairperson of the BISE, Larkana, as the latter has retired.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2016.