In a significant move, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) dismissed one of its senior officials, Director General Zulfiqar Ahmed, after uncovering serious discrepancies in his educational qualifications. The dismissal order was issued by Nadra Chairman Lt Gen Mohammad Munir Afsar, highlighting the authority’s zero-tolerance policy against fraudulent practices.
The Investigation Unveiled Fraudulent Credentials
Zulfiqar Ahmed claimed to possess an MBA from George Mason University, Virginia, and a BBA from Westwood College, Virginia. However, a detailed investigation revealed that both degrees were fraudulent. Particularly damning was the BBA degree, dated 1987, as the institution in question—Westwood College—did not exist under its current name until 1997. Before then, it operated as the Denver Institute of Technology and primarily offered technical diplomas, making the claimed business degree implausible.
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Adding to the controversy, discrepancies in Ahmed’s academic transcripts, including mismatched GPAs and grades, further substantiated the allegations of forgery.
Fraudulent Equivalence Letter from HEC
In 2018, Ahmed managed to obtain a provisional equivalence certificate from Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC). However, this certificate was later determined to have been acquired through fraudulent means. Ahmed’s subsequent petition to challenge the findings of HEC was dismissed by the Islamabad High Court (IHC), reinforcing the legitimacy of the investigation against him.
Major Penalty Imposed
After thorough deliberation, Nadra’s Chairman imposed the major penalty of dismissal from service on Zulfiqar Ahmed. The decision underscores Nadra’s commitment to integrity and accountability. The dismissal order also provided Ahmed the option to appeal the decision within 30 days, as per standard procedure.
This case highlights the importance of upholding transparency in government institutions and serves as a warning against fraudulent behavior in positions of public trust.