KARACHI: Top officials of the Board of Secondary Education Karachi (BSEK) are facing another inquiry into allegations of illegal appointments, irregular promotions, financial misconduct, procurement irregularities and the issuance of a forged certificate to a student who failed an examination, it emerged on Wednesday.
The fresh inquiry comes as a parallel investigation is already underway into allegations that BSEK officials altered examination centres during the 2026 annual examinations, reportedly to benefit certain private schools.
The inquiry was initiated on the orders of the Special Judge (Anti-Corruption) following a complaint filed by a resident of North Karachi.
The complainant has listed around 30 alleged illegal and irregular actions and asked the court to look into the matter. In an order dated Oct 22, the court directed anti-corruption authorities to investigate the allegations and submit a report.
ACE also seeks records of procurement and financial transactions, following court’s order to investigate around 30 ‘irregularities’
Following the court order, the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has written to the current BSEK chairman, Professor Musharraf Rajput, seeking certified records related to the allegations.
The letter concerns a “Direct Complaint No. 2026/44” against the chairman and the secretary. The chairman has been directed to provide the required documents within three working days of receiving the letter so that the inquiry can be completed on merit, as the matter has been marked “most urgent”.
According to the allegations cited in the court order, BSEK Secretary Naveed Ahmed was promoted and appointed to various positions despite allegedly lacking the required qualifications, eventually becoming the board’s secretary in basic pay scale (BPS) 19. His service was also allegedly extended in violation of a Supreme Court order.
The complaint further alleges that around 30 daily-wage employees were recruited on Mr Ahmed’s instructions and later regularised. It also questions the issuance of a permanent certificate, bearing roll number 103937 and dated 1988, to a student who had allegedly failed the examination.
Audit reports have reportedly pointed to irregularities in procurement, tenders, payments and bank accounts, including transfers of funds between banks without proper authorisation.
The complaint also states that no effective action was taken despite several inquiry reports, complaints and official letters concerning the alleged misconduct.
The ACE has asked the chairman to provide BSEK Secretary Ahmed’s appointment notification and the date on which he assumed charge. It has also sought all orders, notes and decisions issued or approved during his tenure concerning Ahmed’s appointments, promotions, additional charge, service extensions and leave. Records of any payments or benefits given to a person named Fayyaz Ahmed have also been sought.
The requested documents include official letters dated July 3, 2024, Aug 12, 2024, and June 19, 2025, along with inquiry reports, complaints and details of any action taken against the officials concerned. These may include show-cause notices, charge sheets, departmental inquiries and orders issued under the applicable efficiency and discipline rules.
The anti-corruption authorities have also sought audit reports, audit objections and the board’s responses, as well as records of procurement committees, tenders, approvals and payments made during the chairman’s tenure. Details of bank account operations, changes in authorised signatories and approvals for transfers between banks are also required.
Other documents sought include records of daily-wage and other recruitment; orders regularising employees; minutes of Board of Governors meetings at which the issues were discussed; and correspondence with the Universities and Boards Department and other relevant institutions concerning Ahmed and the allegations.
According to the officials, the inquiry would examine the records to establish whether the alleged violations occurred and whether any official action was warranted.
Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026
