ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) was told on Wednesday that the degrees of 205 practising lawyers across Pakistan were found to be bogus.
The revelation came as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is verifying the degrees of thousands of lawyers. It is feared that more fake degree holders may be exposed during the process. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu over practising lawyers holding fake LLB degrees.
Islamabad advocate general informed the top court that the degrees of nine practising lawyers in Islamabad were found to be bogus.
Punjab Bar Council Chairman Jan Muhammad informed the top court that as many as 45,351 degrees were dispatched for attestation of which, 190 degrees were fake and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had registered complaints against 63-degree holders.
Bar Council Chairman Ahsan Bhon briefed the top court that there were 30,000 to 35,000 registered lawyers in 2005. Supreme Court Bar Council Sindh chapter Chairman Salahuddin Ahmed informed the court that 9,000 lawyers are working in Sindh. As many as 5,470 degrees were dispatched for attestation, of which nine degrees were proved to be bogus.
The apex court, while directing immediate conclusion of the case, hinted for strict action against the violators. The case was adjourned for three weeks.
