It sells degrees…: We don’t recognise Al-Khair University, says CJP

LAHORE: Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed Thursday remarked that “we don’t recognise Al-Khair University and its degrees as it sells them”. A three-member bench, headed by the chief justice of Pakistan, was hearing an appeal against restoration of a woman to the post of executive district education officer, who allegedly possessed a fake degree issued by Al-Khair University.

The CJP heard cases at SC Lahore Registry for the first time after taking oath of his office. A law officer told the court that Syeda Saeeda had secured a fake degree of BSc Computer Sciences from Al-Khair University and later was appointed to the Education Department. She was dismissed from service for having a fake degree; however, the Lahore High Court restored her. The department had challenged the LHC order in the SC. “We don’t recognise Al-Khair University. It sells degrees,” the CJ remarked.

At this, the law officer pointed out that Higher Education Commission (HEC) had recognised the university’s degrees issued prior to 2009. How can the HEC do this? Questioned the CJ, adding that who gave authority to the HEC to recognise fake degrees?

The CJ said if the HEC recognised the PhD degree of a five-year old child, would we accept it. A case pertaining to the HEC competence is also pending adjudication at principal seat Islamabad. The bench adjourned hearing and directed the office to club all the cases regarding Al-Khair University degrees.