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.
Question: What is wrong with requiring that the members of our national and provincial legislatures should at least have a Bachelor’s degree? Those who have to decide on complex pieces of legislation and matters of grave importance to the nation – not withstanding the current de-facto powerlessness of the assemblies – should at least be able to comprehend what they may be called upon to vote on or decide? A bachelor’s degree should really not be that difficult to acquire if one really wants to serve.
ATP, sometimes I do run into choice of banner for the title post.
But this time, it is really far out. It must be taken down.
You have shown the faces of hardworking, honest and decent students of some educational institution in Pakistan and liked them with the fake, liars and corrupt of Pakistan. This is very unfair to the decent students who have actually earned their degrees, the proper way.
Suggest show some jail cells as banner picture.
Much obliged for your immediate attention.
Mudassar Qayun Nahra a thug MSF leader who attended Govt College Gujranwala in early 90’s, a genuine criminal from QABZA MAFIA disguised as student become a Member of national assembly at first place! obviously “someone” voted him into the parliament; isn’t that u n me, US (hum not united states)!!!?
Mudassar Qayun Nahra a thug MSF leader who attended Govt College Gujranwala in early 90’s, a genuine criminal from QABZA MAFIA disguised as student become a Member of national assembly! obviously “someone” voted him into the parliament; isn’t that u n me, US (hum not united states)!!!?
Mudassar Qayun Nahra a thug MSF leader attended Govt College Gujranwala in yearly 90’s. How did a true criminal from QABZA MAFIA disguised as student become a Member of national assembly! obviously someone voted him into the parliament….