Fake degree: Former minister’s bail extended

Sarwar’s counsel told the court that the PTBE lacked authority to cancel his diploma.

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Friday extended the interim bail granted to former minister for overseas Pakistanis, Ghulam Sarwar, who is accused of contesting elections on a fake degree.

Sarwar’s counsel Salman Akram Raja told the court that the Punjab Board of Technical Education (PTBE) lacked authority to cancel his diploma.

He said his client had been elected twice as member of the parliament on the basis of his educational certificate. He said the government had implicated him in a false case. He said his client was being victimised. He asked the court to quash the case against his client. Prosecutor General Sadaqat Ali said Sarwar had failed a practical exam required for the diploma. He said he had obtained a no objection certificate (NOC) with the connivance of some PTBE employees to seek admission in BA. The court adjourned the hearing till September 10.

Sarwar is accused of acquiring a duplicate diploma originally issued to another candidate with the same name. Sarwar allegedly used the diploma for appearing in examinations and obtaining a BA degree eventually.

The ACE has lodged a case against Sarwar, the former chairman of Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE), its secretary and two other officials for issuing the duplicate diploma unlawfully.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2013.