Former ANP lawmaker’s appeal dismissed, orders of appellate court intact

Former minister Syed Aqil Shah says he was unaware his degree was issued by a non-chartered institution.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has turned down the appeal of a former MPA from the Awami National Party (ANP) against the cancellation of his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

The University of Peshawar (UoP) cancelled Atifur Rehman Khalil’s BA papers in 2007 and a court also gave a verdict against Khalil. The court slapped a fine of Rs1,000 and banned him from appearing in BA examinations after the university administration proved another person had appeared on Khalil’s behalf.

Khalil later appealed before the appellate court which also turned down his request after which the petitioner filed an appeal before the PHC.

On August 8, Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani put a stay on the UoP’s orders and issued a notice against the university’s controller of examination to explain his position on the matter.

During the case hearing on Monday, PHC Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan observed a senior civil judge’s court gave its verdict on April 27, 2007 and the appellate court also dismissed Khalil’s appeal.

CJ Khan found no legal merits in the case and dismissed his appeal.

Meanwhile, former provincial minister for sports Syed Aqil Shah has said the two-member judgment of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on his alleged fake degree is against the Election Commission Order 2002.



While recording his statement before District and Sessions Judge Shahbar Khan, Shah contended the ECP’s decision was contrary to Section 8 of the 2002 order.

Shah said it was correct that he produced a graduation degree awarded to him by the American International College Lahore. However, he stated was not aware whether the Higher Education Commission (HEC) found the degree was issued by a non-chartered institution.

He was also not aware of the verification of the so-called forged degree by the election commission or the HEC, said Shah. The former minister for sports added he never produced nor annexed any forged degree before the court.

Shah contended the college has not only been registered, but is also recognised by the Directorate of Public Education. Since the directorate was an HEC wing, he argued he had obtained his degree from a recognised institution.

The court adjourned the case hearing for today (Tuesday) with directions to the principal of the college to appear before the court with all the relevant documents.

While Shah’s name appeared in the Election Commission of Pakistan’s list of lawmakers with forged degrees, Khalil’s name was not mentioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2013.