KU committee’s summary explains why LLB degree of candidate was cancelled

KARACHI: The 12-member unfair means committee of Karachi University (KU) recently reviewed the case of Mr Tariq Mahmood’s LLB degree and sent a summary to the university’s syndicate.

The summary says that Mr Tariq Mahmood allegedly had two enrolment numbers and used unfair means during the exams, leading to his results being cancelled and a three-year ban on taking exams. The committee meeting was held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, in the examination department, and it was attended by committee chairperson Professor Dr Musarat, Registrar Professor Dr Waheed, Dean Islamic Studies Professor Dr Zahid Ali Zahid, Dean Pharmacy Professor Dr Haris, Dean Medicine Professor Fareed Islam, Dean Education Professor Dr S Shagufta Shahzadi, Student Affairs Adviser Dr Nosheen, Provost Girls’ Hostel Dr Sameena, Provost Boys’ Hostel Dr Mustafa, Principal Professor Naeem Khalid, Director SG, CN & Placement Dr Ghazal Khawaja, and Controller of Examination Syed Zafar Rizvi.

The summary says Mr Tariq Mahmood had initially enrolled in LLB Part 1 in 1988 with enrolment number 4407/82 for the annual exams, with seat number 3668, but he was declared UFM (unfair means) in Paper III of Part 1 on December 21, 1988, due to the alleged use of unfair means in the exams. Furthermore, this enrolment number (4407/82) had already been assigned to Naeemuddin, son of Moinuddin, who was a regular student at the Government Islamia Law College, and he was admitted to the 1982/83 session with admission number A/262. The candidate participated for a second time in the annual exams of LLB Part 1 in 1989 under the name Tariq Jahangiri, son of Muhammad Akram, with enrolment number 5968 and seat number 4069. This enrolment number (5968/87) had already been issued to Imtiaz Ahmad, son of Muhammad Ilahi, who also appeared in the same exam as a former regular student with seat number 2474. Imtiaz Ilahi was also a regular student at the Government Islamia Law College, having been admitted through admission number A/281 in the 87-88 session.

Mr Tariq Mahmood, for the third time, participated in the annual examination of LLB Part 2 in 1991 under the name of Tariq Mahmood, s/o Qazi Muhammad Akram, with a new enrolment number 7124/87 and seat number 22857, the summary says, adding that according to the Pakistan Bar Council Legal Education Rules 1978, it is a mandatory requirement for law students to regularly attend an affiliated and recognized law college with at least 75 per cent attendance.

Mr Tariq Mahmood claimed to be a regular student of Karachi’s Islamia Law College, while the letter from the principal of the Islamia Law College, along with the records, indicated that he had never been a student at the Government Islamia Law College from 1982 to 1991. According to the tabulation register of Karachi University for the LLB first-year annual examination in 1988, Mr Tariq Mahmood, s/o Qazi Muhammad Akram, with enrolment number 4407/82 and seat number 3668, appeared in papers I, IV, V, and VI. He was allegedly absent for paper II and was declared UFM (unfair means) in paper III. His results were withheld (WH) twice, and he was marked UFM with a note. According to the summary, it is evident from the seating arrangement of the LLB first-year examinations 1988 that seat number 3668 was assigned to Tariq Mahmood, s/o Qazi Muhammad Akram, with enrolment number AIL-4407/82; however, the result was withheld, as indicated by the enrolment number encircled in red pencil with the notation “WH” (withheld). Furthermore, “UFM” is also noted against the mentioned seat number on page 203 of the tabulation register.

According to the University of Karachi (Examinations Department) circular number 88 dated December 13, 1989, the results of 61 students, including Mr Tariq Mahmood, s/o Qazi Muhammad Akram, were declared null and void, and they were barred from participating in any further examinations.

Regarding serial number 14 in the aforementioned report, Mr Tariq Mahmood, whose seat number 3668 was for the Government Islamia Law College, was allegedly fined and his result was cancelled, preventing him from taking examinations for an additional three years, with permission to participate in the annual examination in 1992. No documentation was presented to the committee regarding the reinstatement of the individual/candidate. Consequently, the committee believes that based on the available facts and results, these recommendations can be referred to the syndicate for further decisions.

The summary also mentions Tanveer Ahmed, s/o Muhammad Ilyas, Syed Arshad Iqbal, s/o Syed Muhammad Iqbal, Tariq Ahmad Lodhi, s/o Tabarak Khan, and Syed Shahzad Ahmed, s/o Syed Muhammad Arif, regarding whom it is stated that they were not students of the Islamia Law College, nor were they granted admission.