May 19, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1429

BAHAWALPUR, May 18: Irregularities and lapses in maintaining secrecy of question papers have been reported in the annual matriculation examinations, 2008.

This was admitted by Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Bahawalpur, chairperson Begum Bilqees Akram at a press conference here.

Though she evaded most of the questions on reported question paper leaks, she confirmed a Dawn report that a BISE employee, Hafiz Irfan, was sacked for his involvement in the scandal.

The BISE chairperson replied in the negative when asked whether Irfan’s case was handed over to the police for further investigation.

She said that Irfan was working on a contract in the secrecy branch under the supervision of Shabbir Lodhi, an officer confidential press (OCP).

Meanwhile, a pamphlet on behalf of the teachers’ union, Bahawalpur, and professors’ union, Punjab, circulated here alleged malpractices in the board and sought action against corrupt officials.

The pamphlet demanded handing over of Hafiz Irfan Shaheen to police and holding of an impartial inquiry into the allegations.

ARRESTED: Police claimed to have arrested two bootleggers and seized 83 bottles of liquor from their possession near Baghdadul Jadid railway station here on Sunday.