Islamabad, Feb 19: The Sindh Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has ordered a comprehensive audit of all seven provincial education boards, citing serious concerns over financial mismanagement and exam result manipulation. The audit, set for completion within four months, will examine financial expenditures, procedural irregularities, and marking practices from 2022 to 2024.
The decision was made during a PAC meeting chaired by Nisar Khuhro, with committee members Sadia Javed, Khurram Karim Soomro, and Javed in attendance, alongside senior officials including Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch and board heads. Khuhro expressed dissatisfaction with the boards’ handling of funds and exam results, noting allegations that top grades were being awarded in exchange for money.
Despite the Sindh government’s efforts to provide free education up to the intermediate level, concerns over result integrity persist. The government allocates Rs. 2 billion annually for examination fees, yet doubts remain about transparency and fairness in grading.
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The issue gained prominence after PAC member Khurram Karim Soomro questioned the case of Amir Qadri, former chairman of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK), who was dismissed over allegations of tampering with first-year results. Soomro called for updates on the investigation and a review of the marking system.
PAC officials emphasized that the audit must be conducted with strict oversight to ensure impartiality. Khuhro compared the process to the special audit of Gorakh Hill, stressing that education boards must adhere to the same transparency standards.
With the audit focusing on financial records, marking procedures, and other irregularities, the PAC aims to restore public trust in Sindh’s education system. By enforcing accountability, the government seeks to uphold fair grading practices and safeguard the future of students across the province.
