Lawmakers told to defend their fake degrees

Committee warns two provincial ministers and 11 others to appear before it to avoid stern action.

ISLAMABAD: A special committee probing fake degrees of legislators has warned two provincial ministers and 11 other legislators to appear before it on Monday to avoid stern action. It said that if they fail to appear, the committee can send their cases to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC).

“If they don’t appear before the committee today (Monday), the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) will initiate one-sided proceedings against fake degree holders,” the officials hinted.

Afzal said that a three-member committee will conduct hearings.

The special committee summoned Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Sport Syed Aqil Shah, and Sindh’s Minister for Food Nadir Magsi for justifying their fake degrees, he added.

Two senators from Balochistan – Mohabbat Khan Marri and Rehana Yahya Baloch – will also be called to clarify their positions.

Three MNAs appearing before the committee are Jawad Hussain, Mazhar Hayat, and Muhammad Salman Mohsin.

Legislators summoned from the Punjab Assembly are Saima Aziz, Syeda Majida Rizvi, Saima Khar and Samina Khawar Hayat, all of whom are on Pakistan Peoples Party’s reserved seats, and are said to have obtained fake degrees from the University of Punjab.

Bashir Ahmad Khan and Sardar Ali from Sindh will also appear before the committee.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 29^th, 2010.