Adil Najam
The Lahore High Court has declared Mudassir Qayyum Nahira, a PML-N member of the national assembly, disqualified because he holds a fake degree. Elected form NA-100 Gujranwalla. The idea that those holding fake degrees should be disqualified – not just for the ‘fakeness’ of their education but also for the sheer act of lying and making a fool of the very people they are supposed to be representing – is a good one.
It is something that we at ATP have written about before and we feel fairly strongly about. I for one welcome the decision by the National Assembly that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) should verify the degrees of all 873 parliamentarians. That should be a normal and continual function of the HEC. I am also glad that this issue has been gaining such momentum.
Having said that – and having established that if Mr. Nahira’s degree is fake then he should be disqualified – the few details of the story that we know (and we really know very few) do seem to suggest that this may be more a case of catching a technicality because an opponent pushed for it rather than a real case of the honorable court being annoyed and incensed at an act of cheating and lying. Even so, it is good that the issue is highlighted. But not enough.
It seems that Mr. Nahira actually has a degree – from the University of Bahawalpur – but he obtained it while he was under suspension from the Punjab University and without obtaining a ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) from the Punjab University. I do not know why he ha been suspended from the Punjab University (and would really like to know). But I am glad that he did actually complete the education in Bahawalpur. Because education is always a good thing; even when done half-heartedly.
So, I will wait for more details on this case, I applaud the court for going after the issue, but we need to go beyond the technicalities to the even bigger issue remains of those who blatantly lie about being what they are not and buying fake degrees without obtaining any education at all. Indeed, the biggest issue of all is creating a polity where lying to citizens in any dimension is not tolerated.
its a great step but as said by the author we need more….
Solid actions should be taken against these politicians so that next time one should think several times before doing this.
And one more thing, we all need to wake up and stand up against this politics otherwise they are playing with us for more than 50 years just changing faces!
This is very good that the Parliamentarians are now being verified for their qualifications. And I think punisment for treason should also be given. This is a process of refining and reducing corruption. Great Work !
This is very good that the Parliamentarians are now being verified for their qualifications.
Those Cheeni Chor and Cement Smugglers sitting there also need to be kicked out instead of being having world reputed university degrees !
@Sehar. All of that may be true, but how is NOt weeding out liars on fake degrees going to help? Or you you want more fake degree holders in? YES, we should root out all those things, but we why would you want fake degree holders NOT to be disqualified?