LAHORE: The Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) has set up 880 examination centres for 285,607 candidates for the annual matriculation examinations 2026.

The annual matriculation examination began on Friday.

In the first phase, examinations of Arabic, Geography, Art and Model Drawing, History of Islam and History of Pakistan are being held. A total of 285,607 candidates are participating in the examinations this year, including 129,914 male students and 155,693 female students. A total of 880 examination centers have been set up in the Lahore division to organise the examination process. Section 144 has been imposed in the vicinity of the examination centers to prevent the entry of any unauthorised person.

A total of 26 centres have been declared ‘highly sensitive’ and special online surveillance is being carried out through CCTV cameras. Special raid teams have been formed for monitoring and will make surprise visits to the centres.

On this occasion, Controller of Examinations Tauseefur Rehman said that a “zero tolerance” policy had been adopted to completely eliminate cheating, recommendation and booty mafia. He said that transparency of the examination was being ensured at all costs through monitoring and biometric attendance.

He said that action would be taken against any student or official found involved in cheating. He said that the sole purpose of these strict measures was to achieve merit-based results so that the rights of hardworking and capable students were not violated and they could be encouraged.

Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2026