PESHAWAR (Kashifuddin Syed): A significant scandal involving fake degrees and serious financial irregularities has been uncovered at Gomal University in Dera Ismail Khan. Following the discovery of 514 suspicious degrees, the scope of the investigation has expanded.
These alleged irregularities, which reportedly have been ongoing for years, were uncovered by the university’s current administration. In response, key officials implicated in the fake degree scandal have been suspended, and further important dismissals and legal actions are anticipated.
According to official sources, these alleged financial misappropriations and administrative irregularities occurred between 2019 and 2023, prompting a high-level investigation.
As part of this process, the former director of affiliation has been suspended, and strict action is also being taken against the former controller of examinations named in the fake degree case. During the review of official records, hundreds of degrees were identified as suspicious, and formal recommendations for their cancellation have been made.
A new empowered investigation committee has been established at Gomal University to expedite this accountability process.
Following the special instructions of Provincial Minister for Higher Education Meena Khan Afridi, monitoring systems have been tightened across all higher educational institutions in the province. As a result of this government action, a significant fake degree network has been dismantled across the province.
The minister has made it clear that no individuals involved in the Gomal University scandal will be spared from accountability. He stated that the provincial government is committed to completely purging the higher education system of corruption and the fake degree mafia.
He further asserted that this impartial accountability process, led by Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, will continue without discrimination, as those who jeopardise the future of students do not deserve leniency.
