Karachi – Parents and education circles have expressed strong outrage after the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Sindh issued notices summoning students, including female candidates, to appear for questioning at 12:30 midnight in connection with an ongoing probe into alleged tampering of Karachi Intermediate Board results (2022 exams).

Unusual Timing Raises Questions

According to reports, the notices were sent to educational institutions and handed over to students, directing them to appear before the ACE West office in Karachi late at night. The summons immediately drew sharp criticism from parents, who questioned how young students—especially female candidates—could be asked to present themselves at an official inquiry in the middle of the night.

One parent remarked, “How can we possibly send our daughters to an anti-corruption office at midnight? This is not only impractical but also unsafe.”

Probe Into 2022 Result Tampering

The investigation dates back to alleged manipulation of Intermediate Part-II results in 2022, a controversy that shook Karachi’s education sector. Allegations included:

• Marks inflation for favored candidates.
• Use of inside contacts at the Karachi Inter Board.
• Bribes taken in exchange for altering results.

The probe, however, has been dragging on for over 18 months without a clear conclusion, raising concerns about the seriousness and methodology of the inquiry.

Legal & Administrative Concerns

Legal experts have also questioned the validity of such summons. Standard practice requires investigative bodies to schedule questioning during working hours and to ensure the presence of guardians in case of minors or female students. Summoning students at midnight, they argue, may constitute harassment and misuse of authority.

A former education board official noted that such tactics could intimidate families rather than uncover the truth:
“If Anti-Corruption wants to pursue this case, they should summon the officials involved, not drag students and parents into uncomfortable situations.”

Public Reaction & Backlash

The news quickly spread across social media, where students, parents, and civil society activists condemned the move. Hashtags calling out the “midnight summons” began trending in Karachi, with many demanding that the Chief Minister of Sindh and the Education Minister take immediate notice.

Human rights activists also pointed out that such practices could discourage students from cooperating in future investigations, thereby undermining accountability in the education sector.

Official Response Awaited

So far, the Anti-Corruption Department has not issued a formal clarification. Sources suggest that the unusual timing may have been due to clerical errors in the notice or an ill-conceived attempt to fast-track the investigation.