Exam question on system of life includes 'Zardari' as option

Another question on Pakistan’s security, include options: Allah, Zardari sahib, Gilani sahib or Awaam (public).

MULTAN/ LAHORE: What is the system of life based on?

To answer this question, Lahore’s ninth-graders were given four options to choose from in their Urdu exam paper: Religion, world, money and Zardari sahib.

These four options were given to a question allegedly derived from the chapter “Islam, deen aur Science mein faasle” (Distance between Islam, faith and Science) by Dr Abdullah.

Another quirky question in the same paper asked students, whether who was responsible for Pakistan’s security? (Pakistan ki hifazat ka zimmedar kaun hai?). The options included: Allah, Zardari sahib, Gilani sahib or Awaam (public).

The 75-mark paper comprised of a multiple choice question section, worth 20 marks.

Besides these two odd questions, the other 18 questions and their options adhered to the prescribed syllabus.

According to the sources in the Ministry of Education and Lahore board, the paper was prepared by the Dera Ghazi Khan board.

Initial investigation into the matter revealed that a DG Khan Government Higher Secondary School teacher, Hafiz Ajmal had prepared the paper, Express News reported.

Question paper preparation process

According to details, the Punjab board has devised a system where by questions papers are devised in the eight centres of the board. They are sent to a collective pool where they are shuffled by the chairmen of all boards in coordination with the secrecy department. This ensures that papers for each district are picked in a transparent manner.

Hence, the paper prepared by the Dera Ghazi Khan board landed on the desks of Lahore students.

Officials involved will never be allowed to prepare a paper: DG Khan BISE Chairman 

Talking to The Express Tribune, earlier, Chairman Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Dera Ghazi Khan Dr Zafar Aalam Zafri had said that the paper was prepared by the Dera Ghazi Khan board but no one was aware of it as per the protocol of the secrecy department.

“I am unaware but I have been informed by BISE Lahore officials that the paper was made by BISE Dera Ghazi Khan.”

“The paper was never distributed, except in Lahore,” the chairman said, adding “It was distributed amongst students of group A, appearing in the morning for class nine examinations.”

He added that except for the secrecy branch, the Controller Examinations, chairman board and all senior officials had no knowledge of the paper, the board only dealt with coordination.

Dr Zafri said, “I have constituted a committee under the supervision of Principal, Government College Layyah Prof Maher Mohammad Akhtar who will submit a report to me within 24 hours.”

The infuriated BISE DG Khan chairman said that officials involved in this ‘mistake’ will never be allowed to prepare a paper again and will be punished according to law. He said that the central chairman of all eight BISE boards, sitting in Lahore, would finally decide the punishment.

Earlier when Express News contacted the Lahore Board they denied having any knowledge regarding the question paper and the odd inclusion of the option, ‘Zardari sahib’.

It could not be ascertained who drafted the exam paper, although legal action might be taken against the subject specialist for including the current president in the list of options.