ISLAMABAD, June 2: A network consisting of officials at the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is selling fake degrees, reliable sources told Dawn .

The sources alleged that the network sold degrees of various classes, especially those of matric to graduation level, at various rates.

They said the network capitalizing on certain loopholes in the system and mismanagement at the highest level was minting money through issuing fake degrees, particularly the degree of Bachelor of Education (BEd), which is the most sought-after programme of the university.

In one such case, a fake degree — available with Dawn — was issued to a teacher in Sindh. On the face of it, the degree fulfils all conditions and requirements: signatures of the vice- chancellor and controller of examinations, registration number, percentage of marks, grade, and above all is printed on a particular paper meant for issuing degrees.

The issuing date of the degree is mentioned as July 31, 1999, but the degree bears the signature of the present Vice-Chancellor Dr Altaf Hussain, who joined the AIOU as vice-chancellor in March 2001.

If the degree were genuine it should have been singed by the then vice-chancellor Dr Anwar Siddiqui, the sources pointed out.

A spokesman for the AIOU, Ubaidullah Mumtaz, confirmed that the present VC had joined the university in March 2001 and could not have signed a degree issued before the joining date.