Islamabad, 12 May, 2025: In a major development, The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has started a high-level investigation into a cheating scandal during the screening tests for schoolteacher appointments.
A gang involved in manipulating the examination process was caught red-handed during a raid on a private hujra in Bannu district.
District officials and police, during the raid, recovered original ETEA test papers and already-solved answer sheets
Taking immediate notice of the incident, KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur termed the cheating scandal a “blatant and unforgivable violation of merit and transparency” and directed the Chief Secretary to launch a full-scale investigation.
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A high-level committee has been given 15 days to identify all individuals involved and recommend strict disciplinary and legal action.
“You are requested to assign a senior officer or team with the necessary experience and integrity to carry out this inquiry and submit a comprehensive report within 15 days,” the chief minister’s letter stated.
Shortly after the raid, photos began circulating on social media reportedly showing individuals solving ETEA papers at the residence of KP Minister for Public Health Engineering, Malik Pukhtun Yar Khan.
The images sparked public outrage, with growing calls for the minister’s resignation.
In response, Malik Pukhtun Yar strongly refuted the allegations, dismissing them as a politically motivated smear campaign. He urged authorities to carry out a fair and transparent inquiry to expose the truth.
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In the wake of the scandal, ETEA authorities have been alerted to strengthen internal monitoring and secure ongoing examination processes.
The Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education has also been ordered to oversee a district-wise audit of examination protocols. District officers are being deployed to coordinate closely with ETEA and prevent further malpractice.
An ETEA spokesperson reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fair recruitment, stating that those found guilty of manipulating exams will face the consequences.
““No one will ever be able to fulfill their dream of becoming a government servant through the use of mobile phones or Bluetooth devices,” the spokesperson said.
He also rejected any direct association between the provincial minister and the cheating scandal, calling such claims entirely baseless.
