BSO (Pajjar) Demands Immediate Action Against Corruption in Education Sector, Calls for Accountability and Reforms

Quetta:** General Secretary of Baloch Students Organization (Pajjar), Mureed Rasheed Baloch, has called on the provincial government, the Department of Education, and relevant authorities to take strict action against the corruption within the Balochistan Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE). In a press conference held at the Quetta Press Club on Wednesday, Mureed Baloch demanded that the incompetent and corrupt chairman of BISE be removed from his post, and a committee should be formed to investigate the fraudulent practices that have marred the recent examination results.

Baloch criticized the prevalent corruption and extortion within the education sector, stating that the recent Intermediate exams exposed the deep-rooted malpractices in the system, where up to **3 lakh rupees** were demanded in exchange for **60 marks** in the exams. He said this not only jeopardized the future of thousands of students but also undermined the hard work and integrity of those who genuinely deserved good results.

“Bribery and favoritism have become the norm. Many undeserving candidates received higher marks, thanks to the collusion between board staff and middlemen. These agents openly bargain, making education in Balochistan a commercial transaction,” Mureed Baloch remarked. He added that this situation was made worse when the examination controller, Abida Kakhar, openly acknowledged her exclusion from the process, which further raised questions about the integrity of the system.

The BSO (Pajjar) leader urged the authorities to address the rampant corruption and end the culture of bribery and extortion within BISE. “We demand that the government takes decisive steps to ensure that students’ futures are not compromised by such malicious practices,” he said.

Furthermore, Mureed Baloch emphasized the dire conditions at universities, particularly the **University of Balochistan**, where the staff had not received their salaries, leading to widespread protests. He also condemned the closure of the university hostels and the delay of exams, stating that these actions were detrimental to students’ academic progress.

“We strongly condemn the closure of hostels and the suspension of university activities. This education-hostile approach is unacceptable, especially when exams are imminent,” he stated.

In addition, Baloch criticized the ongoing exploitation of Balochistan’s resources, coastal areas, and national languages. He also strongly opposed the provincial government’s decision to give the newly constructed building of the **Agricultural University Quetta** to a private institution, **NUTECH**, instead of using it for student accommodation and educational purposes.

The BSO (Pajjar) leader further demanded that **Agricultural University Quetta** be upgraded to a full-fledged university, and the current BISE chairman and his associates be removed. He called for an investigation into their corrupt practices and urged for strict legal action to be taken against those responsible.

Lastly, Mureed Baloch proposed the introduction of **digital systems** for exam paper checking and assessments, stressing that modern technology could help prevent such corrupt practices and improve the quality of education in the province.

“We must ensure that education in Balochistan is not just a formality, but a genuine tool for empowerment. By using modern digital tools and transparent procedures, we can bring an end to this education crisis,” he concluded.