ICS: Probe into tampering with results

By Khalid Khattak

LAHORE: The Punjab University (PU) administration has initiated an inquiry into alleged tampering of results at the varsity’s Institute of Communication Studies (ICS), The News has learnt. Sources in the PU administration said that Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran had ordered a probe following complaints received about the alleged tampering of results of viva voce exam of MS (Replica) Session 2005-07.They said it was found during the probe that award sheet signed by the ICS director, the internal examiner and the external examiner was allegedly tampered to get some failed students passed. They said the Punjab Institute of Language, Art and Culture’s director Dr Shaista Nuzhat was the external examiner who had conducted the viva voce exam. Giving details of the probe, the sources said a final award list of the said exam was displayed on November 7, 2007 in which four students were declared as “fail” adding, however, another forged list was displayed soon in which all those who earlier could not clear the exam were declared successful.The sources added the university administration had contacted Dr Shaista Nuzhat seeking her opinion about both the lists. They added the lady had verified that the signatures on the first list as genuine making it clear that her signatures on second list were not genuine.A senior PU official, on condition of anonymity, said the external examiner had informed the administration that the result was tampered as the second list was not signed by her. He said the matter remained in dark until recently when the VC received complaints by some students about the said results. He further said Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz was internal examiner of the said exam. When contacted Dr Shaista Nuzhat said some students could not pass the viva voce exam adding the students as well as some faculty members had approached her at that time to seek favour in this regard. “I did not listen to them and issued the list”, she said adding “I told them to talk to the head of the department if they had any problem”. She confirmed that she had informed the PU administration that the second list was not signed by her hence it was forged. When contacted Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz said he was not internal examiner of the said exam. When contacted, ICS director Dr Mughees Uddin Sheikh said he had not received any complaint or news regarding tampering of the results, adding he would be able to comment once he got information in that connection.He, however, claimed that results prepared at his department were the most transparent in the university. PU registrar Prof Dr Muhammad Naeem Khan was not available for comments. However, when contacted, additional registrar Dr Aurangzeb Alamgir said Institute of Biochemistry & Biotechnology (IBB) director Prof Dr Muhammad Amin Athar had been appointed as inquiry officer. He also confirmed that Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz was internal examiner of the said exam, adding the inquiry was ordered following the probe proved tampering of the results.

Source: The News International
Tuesday, November 04, 2008