Mirpurkhas BISE scandal widens

HYDERABAD

The multi-billion-rupee corruption scandal at the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Mirpurkhas, appears to be engulfing more officials as the Anti-Corruption Establishment widens the scope of its investigation. The ACE Mirpurkhas has summoned five officials - including a deputy secretary of the Sindh Universities and Boards Department and three former chairmen - to record their statements on April 24.

The department's secretary has also been asked to furnish detailed records within a week, while the assistance of a subordinate official has been sought for the inquiry. "Anwar Aleem Khanzada [the arrested former controller of examinations of BISE Mirpurkhas] has named certain individuals for abetting corruption," an official disclosed.

In a letter addressed to former chairman, ACE Inspector Kumar stated that Khanzada alleged he paid him a Rs15m bribe. Letters addressed to two other former chairmen, Zulfiqar Ali Shah and Barkat Ali Haideri, also mention alleged payments of Rs13.5m and Rs8m, respectively.

The name of Farhan Akhtar, deputy secretary of the Universities and Boards Department, surfaced in connection with postings and transfers. Naeem Qureshi, personal secretary to the provincial minister for universities and boards, will be questioned about allegedly receiving illegal gratification for transfers and postings. All have been directed to clarify their positions and record their statements before ACE Mirpurkhas on April 24.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Universities and Boards Department has to provide complete record of administrative justifications.