Sent ex-controller investigations show cause notice of irregularities including delays, delayed issuance of admit cards
KARACHI:
The Sindh government on Friday warned that students found involved in cheating during matriculation and intermediate examinations will be barred from appearing in future board examinations as authorities stepped up measures to ensure transparency in the examination system.
In a joint statement issued through the Sindh Information Department on X, Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah and Universities and Boards Minister Muhammad Ismail Rahu said cheating in any form would not be tolerated. They added that investigative staff found involved in malpractice would face immediate dismissal from service.
The ministers stated that students caught with mobile phones or cheating materials would be immediately expelled from the exam centers with their papers cancelled. Such candidates will also be disqualified from the ongoing examinations and debarred from future board examinations.
The warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of matriculation exams in Sindh, where issues including delayed exams, delayed issuance of admit cards and administrative mismanagement have already prompted official inquiries and reports.
The Minister of Education of Sindh, Syed Sardar Ali Shah, and the Minister of Universities and Borhaz, Sandal Raho, have said in their joint statement that no one will tolerate any form of matriculation or intermediate, and strict action will be taken against the involved staff… pic.twitter.com/A6ZqDJ7Eoo
— Sindh Information Department (@sindhinfodepart) 17 April 2026
Separately, Rahu paid a surprise visit to an examination center at SR Academy in Shah Faisal Colony on Friday, where he took serious notice of irregularities. He ordered immediate action and directed the chairman of the matriculation board to cancel examination centers on the spot citing violations of examination rules.
Rahu alleged that the exam staff facilitated cheating by allowing students from other schools to solve papers during the process. He also noted that the number of students at the center exceeded the approved capacity, describing it as a serious violation.
He ordered strict action against the board officials allegedly involved in transfer and management of examination centers and ordered cancellation of centers at SR Public Secondary School, Shah Faisal Colony and SR Public School and College, Saudabad, Malir.
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Echoing the government’s position, he said the province pursued a zero-tolerance policy against cheating and had already issued strict instructions to all board chairmen. He added that Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners and other district officials had been asked to conduct surprise visits to ensure transparency in investigations.
Meanwhile, the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) issued a notice to its former Acting Controller of Examinations, Muhammad Ziaul Haq, over allegations of malpractice, inefficiency, corruption and dereliction of duty.
According to the notice, the official has been accused of undermining the integrity of the examination system ahead of the SSC Part-I annual examinations 2026, citing gross negligence, abuse of authority and procedural violations.
The Sindh government had earlier sought reports of delays in exams and failure to issue admit cards on time. The matter was further escalated following changes in exam centers and administrative lapses.
On April 13, the provincial government again directed the Matric Board to submit a comprehensive report on the issue.
The notice further alleged violations of SOPs and rules of procedure, stating that exam centers were allotted in a “non-transparent and arbitrary” manner. It also alleged involvement in manipulation of center allocations, engagement of unauthorized middlemen and acceptance of bribes in exchange for favorable postings.
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Serious allegations of breach of official secrecy were also included, alleging that confidential investigative information was allegedly disclosed and misused.
The official is further accused of insubordination, non-performance of duties and remaining absent from office without permission since March 17 during a critical phase of exam preparations.
The notice also alleged attempts to disrupt the exam portal in collaboration with IT officials, contributing to operational disruptions and postponement of previously scheduled exams.
It further stated that due to administrative deficiencies, investigations scheduled for April 7 were postponed to April 10, attributing the delay to alleged failures in execution and supervision.
The controller has been asked to submit a written explanation within seven days, with authorities warning that failure to respond could result in ex parte proceedings.
