Pakistan: Church backs court ruling on MPs with fake degrees

Up to 80 per cent of Pakistan's MPs are believed to hold fake qualifications. Catholic Church leaders have praised Pakistan's Supreme Court action in ordering the Election Commission to investigate.

A university degree has been a prerequisite for entering parliament since 2002. But in the Higher Education Commission's current inspection, 161 so far have been shown to be illegible, irrelevant or below university level.

Media reports suggest that as many as 80% will prove to be false when the inspection concludes in two weeks' time. Several MPs have already tendered their resignation. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, whose own Masters degree in journalism is being scrutinized, has urged political parties not to protect a person with a fake.

As Catholic church schools are acknowledged to be among the best in the country, Church leaders have been vocal in welcoming the move. "The process can only help us to become a better country," said Mehboob Sada, director of the Christian Study Center in Rawalpindi.

"Many of the fake degree holders have been involved in high profile corruption cases," added Father Abid Habib, regional coordinator of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Major Religious Superiors. "We need politicians who are genuine."


Source: UCAN