Following the arrest of Mirpurkhas Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education’s Controller of Examinations Anwar Aleem Khanzada, investigations have been expanded to cover all education boards across Sindh with multiple senior officials summoned by the anti-corruption authorities.
The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has called in at least six officials, including the secretary of the universities and boards department, along with the personal secretary to the provincial minister concerned. Relevant records have also been sought as part of the ongoing inquiry.
Inspector Dilip Kumar of the anti-corruption department has issued notices to serving chairmen, controllers and other officers of education boards across the province, citing various allegations. In addition, several former officials including ex-chairmen of the Mirpurkhas board Dr Samar Raza Talpur, Barkat Ali Haidri and Zulfiqar Ali Shah have also been summoned.
Other individuals called for questioning include Universities and Boards Department Deputy Secretary Farhan Akhtar, an office secretary identified as Ejaz, and Naeem Qureshi, personal secretary to the minister for universities and boards.
In a notice issued to Akhtar, the anti-corruption authorities stated that his name had surfaced regarding postings and administrative matters during the investigation into Khanzada’s alleged involvement in malpractices. Akhtar was directed to appear before the inquiry officer to explain his role in transfers and postings during the relevant period.
Similarly, Qureshi has been asked to appear after his name reportedly emerged in connection with alleged illegal payments linked to transfers and postings. The department also sought an explanation from Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch regarding how Khanzada remained posted on key positions such as the secretary and controller of examinations at the Mirpurkhas board, Hyderabad board and Board of Intermediate Education Karachi continuously since 2016. He has been directed to provide within seven days the legal and administrative justification along with the relevant record for these appointments.
At present, none of the boards in Sindh has permanent controllers, secretaries or audit officers, while the appointment of permanent chairmen only became possible in 2025 after years of delay. In one instance, the Karachi Matriculation Board saw four different controllers appointed within a single year.
