Fake degrees

A director general of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) has been dismissed for holding a fake degree. An investigation by NADRA, uncovered discrepancies in the official's academic credentials. The most glaring issue was the forgery of his BBA degree, a qualification he claimed to have earned in 1987.

This is not a one-off incident. Pakistan's bureaucracy and lawmakers have often been in the headlines for possessing fake degrees. In a country where public trust in government institutions is already fragile, instances of dishonesty at high levels erode the credibility of the entire administrative system. For a civil institution that holds immense responsibility in maintaining and updating the country's database of its citizens, employing individuals with fabricated qualifications undermines the very foundation of the state. When key bureaucrats hold fake degrees, it not only compromises their ability to perform their duties effectively but also sends a harmful message that academic fraud is tolerated.

This practice is unfortunately deep-rooted in our government structure. Some years ago, lawmakers were also dismissed for possessing fake degrees. With a culture of corruption, job favouritism and weak oversight, many individuals find ways to bypass the educational requirements for government positions. The impact of such dishonesty is far-reaching. Bureaucrats with fake credentials are less likely to make informed, rational decisions, harming policy implementation and public service delivery. Moreover, the rise of corruption and incompetence in government institutions limits the country's development potential, exacerbating poverty, inequality and instability. The authorities need to strengthen the vetting process for government appointments, ensure greater transparency in recruitment, and hold individuals accountable for fraudulent academic claims.