KARACHI, April 12: The absence of newly appointed secretary of Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK), who is yet to join his assignment, has affected the entire working of the board creating difficulties for the students in obtaining certificates and depriving the employees of their salaries.

The Governor's Secretariat had notified on April 7 the appointment of Saeed Ahmed Siddiqui, former principal of Adamjee Science College replacing Hafiz Arshad Indhar.

According to BIEK sources, immediately after the issuance of notification, the chairman relieved Hafiz Arshad Indhar, who left the office without handing over charge to the new secretary, who is yet to join the new assignment.

“We are waiting for our certificates since last week despite submitting urgent fee for it,” some students commented.

“I live in Gulshan-i-Hadeed and have been coming to the board office for the last five days for my degree but officials of the board reply that due to unavailability of secretary I must have to wait for some more days”, said Qasim Khan, a student of DJ College.

Meanwhile, after the agreement between Habib Bank Limited and BIEK ended in December 2006, the HBL board office branch has stopped working since January 2007, there is no other bank working in the premises of the intermediate board to collect forms and fee.

Due to this situation, students have been visiting UBL market branch of Nazimabad for their bank related matters since last four months. This branch is one kilometre away from the board office where students have to walk.

“We are facing severe hardships for our bank related matters. The board’s administration should look into the matter”, said Arshad Soomro, a student of SM Arts college.

Iftikhar Zaidi, chairman of Intermediate Board, when contacted said that he could not say when the newly appointed secretary would be taking charge.

About the banking facility, he said, “we are in contact with UBL authorities and today we have sent a letter to them for talks.” He hoped that agreement would be finalised in a week or two.—PPI