Pakistan govt not complicit in fake degree scam, says embassy spokesperson

Spokesperson of the embassy in Washington criticizes NYT editorial

WASHINGTON: The Pakistan Embassy in the United States expressed its disappointment over an editorial published recently by the New York Times that implied that the government of Pakistan was complicit in the case of a massive diploma mill degrees run allegedly by Axact.

Responding to the May 20 editorial, titled "A Rising Tide of Bogus Degree", the embassy spokesperson said that the Pakistani government has initiated a wide investigation into the company's activities following the New York Times’ front-page story, exposing Axact, on May 18.

Read: Thousands of fake degrees, printing press found at 'secret' Axact office: FIA

"We are, therefore, disappointed to see the insinuations in your editorial of Pakistani government complicity,” the spokesperson said.

"Bogus-degree fraud is not limited to Pakistan. In the past, several fake-degree scandals have surfaced in various parts of the world, including in the United States. No one pointed a finger at the governments concerned."

Read: Axact CEO, four others sent on physical remand till June 7

The spokesperson further expressed hope that instead of speculating or jumping to conclusions, Pakistan's lawmakers would be allowed to take its course in dispensing justice and holding those found guilty accountable.