Another chairman of a provincial education board appointed through a merit-based search process has resigned, taking the number of such departures to two and intensifying concerns over governance and interference in Sindh’s examination boards.
Sources said the chairman of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi, Ghulam Hussain Soho, tendered his resignation on Monday evening to the secretary, Universities and Boards Department, Abbas Baloch.
Earlier, the chairman of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Hyderabad, Shuja Ahmed Mahesar, had stepped down on April 16.
Officials familiar with the developments alleged that persistent interference by the Universities and Boards Department has created an environment in which independent functioning of board heads has become increasingly difficult.
They added that at least one more chairman may also consider resigning under similar pressures.
According to sources, several board chairmen are currently facing a challenging situation. On the one hand, the Anti-Corruption Establishment Sindh has summoned them along with records over allegations relating to result manipulation and payments linked to appointments. In his resignation letter, Mr Soho stated that he had sought repatriation to his parent organisation, the Federal Directorate of Education, where he wishes to continue serving as a senior education officer.
Addressing the secretary, he wrote he was stepping down with immediate effect, expressing gratitude to the search committee for its confidence in appointing him. However, he noted that “persistent institutional constraints, internal and external pressures, and professional gaps” had made it increasingly difficult for him to discharge his responsibilities in line with his conscience and professional principles. Under such circumstances, he said, it would be inappropriate to continue in office.
