Rudderless matric board likely to get new controller

More than a year has passed since the Board of Secondary Education Karachi’s (BSEK) three grade-18 deputy controllers, a grade-17 assistant secretary and three other staff members were suspended, yet the cases against them remain in limbo.

Neither have the inquiries against them been wrapped up nor have they been reinstated. The deadlock has pushed the BSEK into an administrative crisis, and delaying examination results. After Zaheeruddin Bhutto’s exit, another controller is being brought in from the outside to steady the ship.

The corruption inquiries against the suspended officers are moving at a snail’s pace. Khalid Ihsan, the then acting controller, was sidelined on June 20, 2024, over the shifting of an exam centre, and has been out of action since.

Imran Butt, also an acting controller, and Habibullah Suhag were suspended on June 4, 2024, on charges of tampering with 93 matriculation exam results. Their case was tossed to the Anti-Corruption Establishment. A year on, the case file is gathering dust.

Last year Assistant Secretary Muhammad Arif, Superintendent Muhammad Iqbal, and clerks Yazda and Rehan were also shown the door for allegedly issuing a certificate to a failed candidate.

Action was also recommended against BSEK Secretary Naveed Gujjar, but he slipped through the cracks. Despite the fact that certificates carry his signature, no action was taken, raising eyebrows within the institution.

In a controversial move, BSEK Chairman Ghulam Hussain Saho removed Controller Bhutto, who had been appointed by Sindh’s chief minister, to replace him with his hand-picked grade-17 officer Tariq. The decision did not hold up in court, leaving the BSEK rudderless, and without a controller at the helm.

“The chairman has no power to appoint or remove the controller. That authority rests solely with the CM. Bhutto should never have stepped aside,” Universities & Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch told this correspondent. He said a summary for the appointment has already been sent to the CM. Meanwhile, sources confirmed that the BSEK chairman has recommended Associate Professor Dr Hamzo Khan Tagar, who is to be given charge as controller for a three-month period.