CHINIOT: The superintendent at the intermediate examination centre at the Government High School in Chiniot has lodged a complaint with the City police station against Ijaz Waince, a private college principal, for attacking the centre and threatening the examination staff.

According to superintendent Afzaal Mubashar, the incident occurred during the Urdu paper when Mr Waince, accompanied by his college staff and some students, broke into the centre, abused the staff and issued threats of severe consequences.

The Faisalabad Board of Intermediate and Secondary Examination (BISE) office was informed about the incident. Muhammad Yaqoob, BISE resident inspector, also arrived at the scene.

The police were called in, and upon their arrival, suspects fled. Mr Mubashar, fearing for his life and the safety of his staff, requested the registration of a case against the accused and sought security for the center.

The Punjab Professors Lecturers Association (PPLA) condemned the incident. In a meeting held at Government Islamia College, chaired by district president Imran Zahid, the PPLA expressed its outrage at the hooliganism and threats directed towards Mr Mubashar and his staff by the private college principal and his associates. They demanded the registration of a case and the arrest of the culprits.

The PPLA also issued a resolution, signed by 40 lecturers, urging the authorities to take measures to ensure the safety and security of examination staff. The resolution warned if their demands were not met, they would boycott examinations conduct and escalate protests throughout the province.

Mr Waince, however, refuted the allegations, saying the superintendent had been denying extra answer sheets to students from his college for several days. In response, he contacted the BISE controller of examinations, who advised him to meet the resident inspector.

According to Mr Waince, he met Mr Yaqoob at his office where the superintendent also arrived and expressed his concern about the non-provision of extra answer sheets.

After receiving an assurance from the BISE officers, he called off the protest. He denied entering the examination centre or threatening any examination staff.

Some students from the college also spoke to the media, alleging the centre staff had been depriving them of obtaining excellent grades by not providing extra answer sheets when the provided ones were filled.

They emphasised that the college had previously achieved top positions in the board and in the district of Chiniot.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2023