Degrees of suspicion: ‘Faker’ faces potential lawsuit

MPA Shaukat Bhatti allegedly using another person’s educational certificate.

ISLAMABAD: Reality bit one member of the Punjab Assembly hard on Monday, when he was exposed before the Election Commission by the person whose educational certificate the legislator had allegedly been using. Appearing before the EC, Shaukat Aziz Sheikh vowed to sue the MPA in question.

During the hearing of the fake/invalid degree cases at the Election Commission, Sheikh appeared in person before the panel with original identification and other documents. He informed the commission that he had graduated in 1992 and a provisional certificate had been issued to him.

On the basis of the certificate in question, he had been employed at the Social Security Hospital in Islamabad. He said he had not received his degree from the university since 1992, and alleged that MPA Shaukat Aziz Bhatti, who was elected to the Punjab Assembly from the PP-4 constituency, had gotten hold of Sheikh’s original degree fraudulently.

Sheikh also filed a petition against the MPA in the Ralwalpindi bench of the Lahore High Court. The court is likely to take up the case today (Tuesday).

Nawabzada Mir Nadir Magsi (PS-40), provincial minister for food, Sindh appeared in person and pleaded that he had earned his degree from Strassford University, UK, adding that it was recognised by the European Union. The commission advised him to provide verified copies and valid proof of recognition of his degree. Barrister Zafar Ali Shah appeared on behalf of Jawad Hussain, MNA (NA-39), and informed the commission that the Balochistan High Court had fixed December 20 for Hussain’s hearing regarding the same issue.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2010.