LAHORE: The task force on examinations claimed on Monday to have captured several candidates involved in cheating during the ongoing Matric exams in different centres of the city.

Punjab Minister for Higher and School Education Rana Sikandar Hayat conducted surprise visits to multiple examination centres and personally verified the identities of students and unearthed cases of impersonation.

During his surprise visits, the minister discovered a case of fraud involving a student, Saba, who was caught taking the exam in place of her sister.

Simultaneously, Examination Task Force Chairman Mazamil Mahmood carried out inspections at centres and caught one Faizan sitting the exam for his friend, Maisam Ali.

He also led a raid at Walton Road Examination Center following intelligence reports. During his inspection, he found another individual attempting to take the exam on someone else’s behalf. The suspect reportedly failed to answer the chairman’s questions satisfactorily and refused to reveal his name. Mahmood directed the police to register an FIR and proceed with investigations according to legal protocols.

In a notable case at Lawrence Road Examination Center (Center No. 310), Superintendent Muhammad Rehan caught Faizan red-handed impersonating candidate Muhammad Shahzaib (Roll Number 268441) during a mathematics paper.

The minister said a zero-tolerance policy was being applied regarding cheating and fraud and indiscriminate measures would be taken against violators. He praised the integration of QR code scanning and called it a critical step in closing the loopholes that previously enabled fraudulent practices.

“The use of technology has ensured that no candidate can sit in for another,” said the minister, while instructing supervisory staff to enhance their vigilance further.

The minister said that they were committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in the examination process by taking impartial action against cheating.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025