Develop a mechanism to curb cheating during exams, orders court

IBA registrar suggests use of CCTV cameras, deployment of Rangers in exam centres

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court directed all educational boards of Sindh on Friday to design a mechanism to control cheating during examinations. A single bench comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar directed the boards to take into account the suggestions made by experts while hearing the case pertaining to cheating during examinations.

The registrar of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) said that they have a standard mechanism for making the question paper for exams in Sindh. He suggested that the papers should be audited and monitored by a third party while checking and marking should be made foolproof by surveillance through CCTV cameras.

According to experts, an awareness campaign should be launched on print and electronic media to prevent cheating. Besides, exam centres should be monitored through CCTV cameras and Rangers officials should also be deployed there.

Justice Panhwar was irked at the failure to control cheating during exams. "It is the fundamental right of every citizen to gain quality education under Article 25 of the constitution. It has become difficult to survive without higher education," he remarked.

Women more likely to spot a cheating partner: study

The court directed all educational boards of Sindh to take into account the recommendations for controlling cheating during exams and to design a mechanism accordingly. The court also summoned the chairpersons of the educational boards, Sindh Text Book Board chairperson, the managing director of the Sindh education foundation and the boards and universities secretary in a personal capacity and sought a report from the parties and other relevant institutions by December 11.

The court ordered that the 2020 examination under the new policy to form a committee comprising the vice-chancellors of Sindh universities and other relevant officials to review Federal Education Policy 2006 and sought a report in this regard from the chief secretary within a week.

Bail extended

Meanwhile, a two-member bench headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and comprising Justice Omar Sial extended the pre-arrest bail of former provincial minister Awais Shah and the family members of former opposition leader in National Assembly Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah till January 16. The bench was hearing the bail pleas of Awais, and Khursheed Shah's two wives, sons and a son-in-law in the case against them pertaining to assets beyond means.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the bench that the inquiry against the accused was still on-going. He sought more time from the court for the completion of the inquiry.

The bench directed the NAB prosecutor to complete the probe by January 16 and extended the bails of the accused.

Lost cricket match

Another two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Agha Faisal issued a notice to cricketer Shoaib Malik, addressed to his Karachi residence, over the plea filed against his visit to a sheesha café before a cricket match between Pakistan and India.

The plea stated that Malik and other cricketers were enjoying sheesha a night before the match and the team lost the match. It argued that Pakistan couldn't qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals and that the national team was mocked on social media.

The bench sought a reply from Malik within a week.

Iqama case

The same bench granted an extension to the counsel of provincial minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah to present arguments in the Iqama case. The bench was hearing the pleas challenging the eligibility of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders Faryal Talpur, Nasir Hussain Shah, Manzoor Wassan and others. The petitioners have prayed the court to declare the accused ineligible.

Cheating wife, nephew behind Rawalpindi police constable's murder

The counsel for the petitioner who filed the plea against Nasir completed arguments while Nasir's counsel sought an extension from the court to argue his case. The court accepted the request and adjourned the hearing till November 29.

Sentence annulled

Meanwhile, a two-member bench comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi accepted the plea filed by two convicted in a case pertaining to sectarian terrorism. The court annulled the verdict given by the trial court and acquitted Shaukat and Shahnawaz alias Shani.

According to the prosecution, Shaukat and Shahnawaz had opened fire on a bus killing six people and injuring seven others. An anti-terrorism court had sentenced them to death while another accused in the case is still on the run. 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 16^th, 2019.