A shocking case has surfaced where a Pakistani PhD student, Imran Taj, going to France on a scholarship, was found to have submitted fake guarantee documents. The incident has not only left Taj’s future in jeopardy but has also raised concerns about the Higher Education Commission (HEC)’s scholarship policies.
FIA Investigation On Scholarship Scam
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) conducted a thorough investigation and submitted its findings to the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The FIA’s scientific examination revealed discrepancies in the signature of the guarantor, Abdul Waheed. The report highlighted issues such as lack of fluency, hesitation, pen pressure, and slow execution of the forged signatures, which did not match Waheed’s original signatures.
Court Ruling on Recovery
Following the FIA’s findings, the IHC ruled in favor of the guarantor, Abdul Waheed, and declared null and void a prior judgment by a civil court in Islamabad. The earlier judgment had directed HEC to recover €85,406 and Rs76,386 from Waheed as the guarantor. The IHC clarified that the recovery could not be made from Waheed since the documents he allegedly signed were proven fake.
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HEC Ordered to Reform Policies
In its 12-page judgment, IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani directed the HEC to:
- Refrain from recovering Rs25 million from the guarantor.
- Reform its scholarship policies to prevent such incidents in the future.
- Impose stricter conditions and introduce clear guidelines for future scholarship programs.
Criminal Proceedings Initiated
The court granted HEC the authority to initiate criminal proceedings against Imran Taj and any officials involved in the submission and approval of the forged documents. Taj had previously signed an agreement with HEC, committing to serve in Pakistan for four years after completing his studies abroad. However, he violated this agreement and submitted fake property documents under Waheed’s name as a guarantor.
Key Highlights of the Case
- Forgery Details: Waheed denied signing the guarantee documents. Forensic analysis confirmed the signatures were fake.
- HEC’s Limitations: The court noted that HEC does not have the authority to recover funds from the guarantor based on forged documents.
- Future Guidelines: The IHC emphasized the need for stricter policies and thorough verification processes for scholarship guarantees.
Final Words
This case underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in scholarship programs. The HEC’s policies and verification processes need urgent reforms to avoid such incidents in the future and to ensure deserving students can benefit from these opportunities without misuse or fraud.