The National Assembly Standing Committee on Education has formed a four-member sub-committee to investigate recent leaks of A-level examination papers, amid mounting concerns over student fairness and system integrity.
The decision was made during a committee meeting chaired by Azamuddin, where evidence was presented, including videos, showing that papers — notably mathematics — were leaked online in advance. Assembly member Ali Sarfaraz revealed that some leaked papers were sold for up to Rs. 60,000 per student, with incidents reported on April 15, May 2, and May 20. He warned that repeated leaks could severely demoralize students nationwide.
Committee members expressed frustration over Cambridge’s oversight and called for accountability. Some demanded re-examinations in July to ensure fairness, noting that the leaks appear to have become a recurring issue.
Cambridge’s Country Director, Uzma Yousuf, defended the integrity of the results, stating that a final assessment will be shared after the last exam on June 11. She confirmed that Cambridge is collaborating with forensic experts and is open to working alongside Pakistan’s federal board to address the matter.
The Executive Director of the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) noted that over 1.2 million students take Cambridge exams in Pakistan. He mentioned efforts to reduce the examination burden by including additional schools but criticized Cambridge for not disclosing the source of the leaks despite formal inquiries.
The sub-committee will be led by convener Sabeen Ghauri and has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within a month.
Meanwhile, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman cautioned the forum against tarnishing the reputation of Pakistan’s educational institutions. Committee chairman Azamuddin emphasized the urgent need for a transparent investigation to restore student and public trust in the examination system.
