- Cambridge guarantees transparency of examination procedures.
- Government raises concerns over another reported paper leak.
- The authorities are emphasizing the measures necessary for an immediate resolution of the problem.
ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Thursday ordered the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged leak of Cambridge exam papers.
According to an official statement, the directive was issued at a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha at the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control on the instructions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
The development comes after Cambridge International Education (CIE) announced the postponement of A Level Mathematics Paper 32 (9709) following the leak of AS Level Mathematics Paper 52 (9709).
The CIE further said it would share detailed information with schools by May 22 regarding the approach to be taken following the paper leak.
The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary Education, Nadeem Mahbub, representatives of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), Director General of NCCIA, Syed Khurram Ali, officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, British Council and other relevant stakeholders.
During the meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Education informed the participants of the concerns raised by the government and parents regarding the alleged leak of Cambridge O Level mathematics exam papers.
The British Deputy High Commissioner informed attendees that this appeared to be a theft rather than an actual paper leak.
CAIE representatives reiterated that Cambridge maintains strict standards to ensure transparency and integrity in the conduct of examinations.
The Department for Education secretary also raised concerns over reports of another leak of exam papers and asked for Cambridge’s official position in light of anxiety among students and parents.
Cambridge representatives assured the forum that an official update on the matter would be shared at the earliest.
The Home Secretary expressed deep concern over the alleged paper leaks and stressed the need for coordinated and effective measures to quickly resolve the problem.
He asked the NCCIA Director General to conduct the investigation in coordination with Cambridge and stressed strict implementation of the decisions taken at the meeting, as well as timely sharing of the investigation results to maintain transparency and public trust.
The meeting also decided that Cambridge would further strengthen the capacity of its system to address weaknesses and gaps in the examination process.
In a statement released a day earlier, the CIE confirmed that its AS-level mathematics paper had been shared prematurely in breach of its strict regulations.
“We investigate such incidents quickly and thoroughly, and are now working to understand the extent of the leak and determine next steps,” the statement said.
