Karachi intermediate board chairman removed over results controversy

The board also questioned Qadri's unauthorised travel, assigning Syed Sharaf Ali as interim Chairman for three months

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The Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) chairman, Professor Ameer Hussain Qadri, has been dismissed following widespread dissatisfaction with the 2024 intermediate annual examination results.

A notification issued from BIEK on Friday confirmed that Qadri's appointment was discontinued with immediate effect.

The notice further stated that Syed Sharaf Ali Shah, from the Board of Secondary Education Karachi, has been assigned the additional charge of chairman for a period of three months or until a regular appointment is made.

The move follows an inquiry by the Sindh Department of Universities and Boards, which sought clarification from Qadri regarding his recent foreign travels without permission.

In his defence, Professor Qadri maintained that the exam results were merit-based and stressed that the results had been reviewed after receiving complaints. He also offered to show students their answer sheets to address concerns and ensure transparency.

The dismissal of Qadri came after approval from Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who holds the relevant portfolio.

His removal is a response to the growing unrest among students, particularly in the pre-engineering and pre-medical groups, who have expressed frustration over the results.

Students, many of whom had secured high marks in matriculation, found themselves with significantly lower scores in the intermediate exams. As a result, the BIEK has seen a sharp increase in scrutiny requests from students.

The controversy surrounding the results has sparked a broader debate over the quality and accountability of Karachi's college education system.

The significant decline in pass rates has also raised serious concerns about the performance of the BIEK’s inspection department, which oversees both public and private colleges in the city.

The board has experienced frequent leadership changes, with last year witnessing similar instability. Numerous appointments and removals disrupted the board's functioning, prompting judicial intervention to address the chaos.