IBCC suspends verification of matric, inter certificates amid cyberattack threats

Portal being restored for local users, while overseas access remains read-only for time being, says executive director

KARACHI:

The Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) has suspended the verification of matriculation and intermediate certificates nationwide following an advisory from the National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) regarding potential cyber threats.

According to an IBCC notification, the verification and equivalence process for O and A Level certificates has also been temporarily halted, and other online verification services have been disabled as a precautionary measure.

The suspension has created difficulties for thousands of students across the country, including those in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, and Islamabad, who require verification of matric and intermediate certificates or equivalence for O and A Levels.

Students applying abroad have also been affected, as verification and equivalence services remain disrupted.

Officials noted that manual verification and equivalence processes had already been discontinued, making it impossible to revert to the old system.

Meanwhile, the IBCC has restricted its verification and equivalence portal to “read-only mode.” Only previously registered users can log in to view the status of their cases, while no new applications were being accepted.

The advisory from CERT was reportedly issued last week following cyberattacks targeting the websites of several Pakistani TV channels and government institutions.

IBCC Executive Director Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah said the portal is being restored for users within Pakistan, while overseas users will continue to have access only in read-only mode for the time being.