The glitch in the matrix

Students question criterion for laptop distribution scheme

PESHAWAR: Apparently the algorithm designed for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Laptop Scheme has not gone down well with the students of the tribal belt.

A delegation of students from tribal heartlands approached The Express Tribune, saying a number of deserving students have been deprived of laptops since there is no set criteria for the distribution. They alleged the FATA Secretariat is involved in grave mismanagement and said an enquiry team should be constituted to investigate the issue.



Fata Student Organisation President Shaukat Aziz Khan told The Express Tribune the project was initiated by the then governor Engineer Shaukatullah for those students who received education in the tribal areas.

“In the absence of an accountability mechanism, these things are bound to happen,” the organisation’s president said.

On the condition of anonymity, a FATA Secretariat official said special directives had been issued to the planning and development department to include the scheme in the Annual Development Programme for tribal position holders.

Systematic irregularities

According to documents available with The Express Tribune, Government Degree College Bagan, Kurram Agency’s Muhammad Zubair secured 371 marks in the 2013 BA examination. While Zubair was rejoicing that the government will soon provide him with a brand new machine, the directorate of education’s list indicates the laptop was instead awarded to Eid Marjan from the same college, who secured 367 marks.

Another student from the same college, Saleem, received a laptop while Muhammad Nabi—who secured three more marks than him—was deprived of it. According to details, two of Saleem’s papers had been cancelled and he had been fined Rs2,000. And yet, the government considered him worthy enough to receive a laptop out of the taxpayers’ kitty. Iqra, a student of Government Girls Degree College Sadda in Parachinar, Kurram Agency, got 368 marks in the 2013 BSc examination and was given the laptop, meanwhile Zainab Najaf who secured 374 marks, still awaits her prize.

“A list of 36 students from each agency was compiled,” said FATA Secretariat Assistant Director Laiq Khan. He said the laptops were distributed in accordance with the lists. The assistant director pinned the blame on the agency education officers and the administrations of schools and colleges for providing incorrect information.

“Action will be taken against those who are involved,” he said. “There is no need to form a committee to revise the lists since it was the responsibility of all officials.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2015.