Sindh Education Department’s 4,531 Transfer Orders Raise Questions Over Alleged Corruption
Senior journalists’ transfer requests ignored; informed sources allege billions collected in transfers, appeal made to top leadership for action
By Staff Reporter
KARACHI: Acting on the directives of the Sindh Minister for Education, the Sindh Education Department, through the Primary School Education and Literacy Department, issued transfer orders for 4,531 teachers a day earlier. However, serious questions regarding transparency have emerged soon after the issuance of these orders.
According to sources, applications marked by the Secretary of the Sindh Education Department, submitted by two senior journalists associated with leading English-language newspapers and having over 30 years of professional service, were allegedly ignored. As a result, transfer orders for their nephews and a close associate were not issued. It is reported that the journalists waited for hours to meet the Sindh Minister for Education, but the official spokesperson not only failed to address their concerns but also did not extend even basic courtesy.
Informed sources have made unverified claims that an amount ranging from Rs50 million to Rs70 million was allegedly collected in connection with the issuance of the 4,531 transfer orders, allegedly through an organized network operating within the Education Department. The sources further stated that thousands of similar collective transfer orders had been issued in the past, following which hundreds of complaints regarding incorrect and controversial transfers surfaced on social media. At the time, affected individuals were reportedly told that they would be “adjusted in the second phase.”
It is also noteworthy that in the latest batch of 4,531 transfer orders, two cases linked to senior journalists allegedly became problematic because they were “free,” while claims have also surfaced that thousands of rupees were taken from their nephew.
Education circles maintain that the real problem within the Education Department is not the teachers, but certain elements operating from within the department who are damaging the institution. Critics argue that this alleged mafia, which has weakened Sindh’s education system, has turned the department into a hub of corruption.
Meanwhile, affected individuals and journalistic circles have appealed to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to take notice of the matter and order transparent investigations, so that justice can be ensured and public confidence in the Education Department can be restored.
