KARACHI: The search committee of the Sindh Board of Technical Education has recommended an officer to be appointed as chairman whose highest qualification is matriculation, while senior officials have not objected due to his political connections.
Qazi Arif Ali is the brother of prominent educationist and former education minister Qazi Khalid Ali. He was recruited as a subject specialist in 1997 during his brother’s tenure in violation of rules and has managed to be promoted till Grade 20.
Qazi Arif Ali completed his matriculation in 1980 in General Group from Board of Secondary Education under Roll No. 80992 and passed with Grade C. He got admission in Inter-Science Pre-Engineering Group at the PECHS Education Foundation using his sources.
In 1983, he passed Intermediate Science Pre-Engineering from the Board of Intermediate Education under Roll No. 109358. However, according to board rules, a student who has passed matric in Science Group cannot study for intermediate in Arts/Humanities Group.
After passing his matric in Science, Qazi Arif Ali rejoined Arts Group and obtained Master’s Degree in Muslim History in 1997. He is currently pursuing his PhD from Hamdard University. At Sindh Board of Technical Education, he is currently working Director Research in Grade 20 after receiving illegal promotions for several years.
According to rules, a candidate who has completed matric in Arts Group, gets admission in Science Group and then completes Pre-Engineering, all educational qualifications and degrees completed after matriculation are declared illegal and void. Thus, Qazi Arif Ali highest qualification currently remains matric.
At present, there is a deep rift between the provincial Secretary Boards and Universities and the Search Committee of the Sindh Board of Technical Education due to which deserving and qualified candidates have been sidelined since several years.
While the Boards of Education and Universities fall under Governor Sindh, all the officers have been transferred to the Secretary Boards and Universities under the patronage of Chairman of the provincial HEC.
