Islamabad: The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Education has ordered an inquiry and formed a subcommittee to investigate the repeated leaks of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) exam papers.
This action follows revelations by Members of Pakistan’s National Assembly that Cambridge papers have been leaked multiple times over the past two years, including four incidents in 2024 alone.
During the committee meeting, MNA Muhammad Ali Sarfraz presented video footage and documents as evidence, showing that recent A-Level papers—such as Mathematics, Economics, Computer Science, and Physics—were accessed before their official exam dates.
He cited one case where a paper was leaked at 2AM on May 7, several hours before students were scheduled to take the test. Sarfraz further alleged that these leaked papers were sold in U.S. dollars, pointing toward an organized international network.
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The financial burden on students was another critical issue discussed. Cambridge reportedly charges between Rs. 30,000 and 60,000 per paper, with an estimated 160,000 students in Pakistan paying these fees annually. MNA Sarfraz criticized CAIE for profiting significantly while failing to secure the integrity of its exams.
In response to the accusations, Cambridge’s Country Director Uzma Yusuf dismissed the claims as rumors, stating that a conclusive report would be released after June 16.
She also shifted focus to Pakistan’s education system, challenging committee members to name a local school or board capable of preparing students for top international universities without relying on Cambridge qualifications.
Her comments drew sharp criticism from the Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), who defended the performance of Pakistani institutions. He asserted that many local schools perform well and noted that several senior officials, including himself, are products of Pakistan’s education system.
Officials from the Inter Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC) expressed dissatisfaction with Cambridge for excluding them from exam-related decisions. Executive Director Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah noted that the earlier British Council-administered system maintained exam integrity.
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However, recent policy changes introduced by former Secretary Mohiuddin Wani—allowing schools like Beaconhouse to conduct exams independently—have resulted in widespread paper leaks. Mallah criticized the lack of oversight and the failure to reduce fees, which was initially promised as part of the transition.
The committee also discussed possible remedial measures, including rescheduling exams in July or adjusting grade thresholds to mitigate the damage to students. Members such as Zeba Jafar and Dr. Haleem emphasized the need for strict oversight of CAIE operations and greater accountability.
To further investigate, a subcommittee led by MNA Sabeen Ghauri has been formed. It includes representatives from HEC, IBCC, and parliamentarians like Muhammad Ali Sarfraz and Zeba Jafar. The subcommittee is set to summon Cambridge’s country director after June 16 to answer the allegations and provide clarification.
