Fake degree dilemma: Nine lawmakers called for hearing

ISLAMABAD: Election authorities have summoned nine lawmakers, including a former federal minister, to appear today (Monday) for an initial hearing on their allegedly fake or invalid degrees.

Most lawmakers being called have received their degrees from religious seminaries.

Yar Muhammad Rind, leader of the opposition in the Balochistan Assembly, who  served as a federal minister during Musharraf’s regime, is  among those asked to explain their position before a committee constituted by the Election Commission on the directives of the Supreme Court.

Rind had submitted an “almiya” degree, which he obtained from a religious seminary in Sukkur at the time of the general elections in 2008. During the verification process, the Higher Education Commission declared his degree invalid.

A member of the National Assembly, Maulvi Rozi Uddin,  has also been called to explain his position on an allegedly fake degree, which he holds from another religious school. Mir Ahmadan Khan, an MNA elected from NA-265, submitted a degree from a religious school in Multan, but the HEC declared it invalid.

Wali Muhammad Badini, a senator from Balochistan, is also on the list for his allegedly invalid degree.

Meanwhile, two other members from the Punjab Assembly, another member from the Balochistan Assembly and two Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa Assembly members have also been called.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2010.