ISLAMABAD: A politician from Kalat district of Balochistan has moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for an expeditious decision on the petition of former minister for food and agriculture Israrullah Khan Zehri regarding his ‘fake degree’.

The petitioner, Allah Buksh, through his counsel Javed Akbar Shah said before the court that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had declared Mr Zehri’s degree fake in April 2013. However, Mr Zehri challenged the order in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Mr Zehri held a degree issued by the ‘University of America’, which the Higher Education Commission (HEC) did not recognise and therefore did not verify it.

Allah Buksh contended that while the matter was pending before the IHC, Mr Zehri was elected a member of the upper house and remained senator till 2018.

He said Mr Zehri was also actively involved in local politics despite the fact that his credentials were fake. He requested the court to decide the petition as early as possible.

It may be noted that the petition of Mr Zehri has been pending adjudication in the IHC since 2013. It was fixed for hearing on March 22, however, due to unavailability of the judge the hearing has been adjourned till March 30.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2021