Opposition submits resolution against Axact in Punjab Assembly

Opposition leader calls for speedy investigation and punitive action against those involved


Aroosa Shaukat May 21, 2015
A file photo of Punjab Assembly. PHOTO: EXPRESS

LAHORE:


A day after federal investigators swooped on the Axact offices, lawmakers in the Punjab Assembly submitted a resolution expressing their concern over the software company’s role in industrial-scale sale of fake degrees from phony universities.


The resolution, submitted by Opposition Leader in the provincial legislature Main Mehmoodur Rasheed, calls for speedy investigation and punitive action against those behind coercing people into paying thousands of dollars for worthless academic accreditation.

Perturbed by the multimillion-dollar education scam that has sent shockwaves across the country, Rasheed also criticised the government for its failure to prevent such financial fraud. The resolution also states that such scandals batter Pakistan’s global image.

The opposition leader also sought the government’s response on the issue. However, due to the law minister’s absence the deputy speaker adjourned the matter till Thursday (today).

On Monday, a report in The New York Times accused the sprawling online education empire of websites maintained by Axact of bagging tens of millions of dollars by peddling bogus degrees. The report prompted the government to order the FIA to probe the company’s financial records.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2015.

COMMENTS (1)

Ashraf | 8 years ago | Reply I was of the impression that Pakistan's software industry was about to take-off in much the same way as India's did. Was this what they meant?
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