A major corruption scandal has shaken the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Lahore, where more than 2,000 ninth-grade students were deprived of their examination results despite paying fees. The revelation has sparked outrage among parents, students, and education activists, raising serious questions about transparency in Punjab’s education system.

Students Trapped in Fee Irregularities

Numerous students who had paid their fees through both bank branches and online portals were marked as “unpaid” in the board’s digital system. This discrepancy prevented them from accessing their results and caused unnecessary stress during a crucial stage of their academic journey.

Shockingly, some students were reportedly asked to pay fines of up to Rs30,000 to have their results released. Families expressed anger over the exploitation, calling it an organized scam targeting vulnerable students who had already met their financial obligations.

Inquiry and Initial Action

Following the uproar, authorities took swift action by suspending three employees directly linked to the case. An official inquiry has been launched under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Lahore to uncover the depth of the corruption network and identify those responsible.

The investigation is expected to examine how such a large number of payments went unrecorded, whether through deliberate manipulation of the system or negligence. Early indications suggest embezzlement of examination fees, but further probing will determine the scale of the fraud.

Public Outrage and Student Rights

The incident has amplified demands for stronger accountability within educational boards. Parents insist that students’ futures should not be compromised due to internal corruption. Education rights groups argue that the scandal reflects systemic weaknesses and that stricter monitoring mechanisms are required to safeguard student rights.

For many families, the immediate concern remains the restoration of their children’s results. Activists have urged the Punjab government to prioritize students’ academic continuity and ensure such malpractice does not occur again.

Hajj 2026 Government Scheme Applications Close Early

In another significant national development, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially announced the closure of applications for the Hajj 2026 Government Scheme. Within just 17 days, the ministry received 118,060 submissions, filling the quota much earlier than anticipated.

First-Come, First-Served System

This year’s application process was conducted on a first-come, first-served basis, available both online and at designated banks across the country. Applicants were given the choice between short-duration and long-duration packages, with the requirement to pay half the expenses upfront. The remaining payments will be made closer to the pilgrimage date.

Officials noted that the strong response reflected both improved digital systems and a surge of interest from citizens eager to plan their pilgrimage well in advance.

Quota Filled Ahead of Schedule

Authorities had initially expected applications to remain open longer, but the rapid pace of registrations exhausted the quota in record time. As a result, the ministry moved to halt further intake to prevent exceeding the allocated slots.

This development underscores the growing demand for government-managed Hajj schemes, which are often seen as more affordable and transparent compared to private operators.

Next Steps for Selected Pilgrims

Those who successfully applied will receive official instructions in the coming weeks as preparations for Hajj 2026 progress on an accelerated timeline. The Ministry has assured applicants that the process will remain transparent, with clear guidelines issued regarding travel schedules, training sessions, and final payments.

The early closure of applications has also prompted religious authorities to consider whether future quotas should be adjusted to accommodate the increasing number of applicants eager to perform Hajj under the government’s supervision.