PU teacher booked for ‘forgery’

LAHORE: A serious case of forgery and document tampering has come to light at the University of Punjab’s Institute of Applied Psychology, with Prof Dr Farah Malik has emerged as an accused of tempering her matriculation certificate.

Talking to The News, Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Punjab Director General Sohail Zafar Chathha said the case has been formally registered under FIR sections 420/468/471-PPC and 5(2)47-PCA. The case stems from accusations that Dr Farah’s date of birth was altered on her matriculation certificate during her application for the post of professor. ACE DG said that as per records from the Rawalpindi Board, her original date of birth was recorded as 1965 but appeared as 1969 in the submitted certificate. This adjustment conflicts with her stated matriculation year (1981), which would make her age 12 at the time, a violation of eligibility standards for appearing in matriculation exams, he added. The irregularity was flagged when ACE officials reviewed documents and confirmed the discrepancies. Dr Rafia Rafique, an associate professor, brought this matter to light and highlighted the gravity of such fabrications, emphasising the need for strict investigation.

Authorities have marked the case for further inquiry under the Deputy Director (Investigation), ACE Lahore. Officials confirmed that the investigation will also scrutinise the role of others potentially complicit in this matter. Talking to The News, Prof Dr Farha Malik claimed that it's a fake propaganda against her by a colleague Dr Rafia Rafique, who had obtained forged duplicate of Dr Farah's Matriculation certificate with incorrect date of birth, personifying her and submitting forged affidavit with fake signatures. 'I've 32 years’ service with outstanding and first class career throughout. I also have won Fulbright Postdoctoral Fellowship, Charles Wallace Trust Award, IMSA Fellowship, HEC Best Teacher Award etc during my career,' she added. She said, 'I have been badly harassed and threatened by ACE DG and Deputy Director Ghazanfar Tufail and forced me to admit what I haven't done for being lopsided and openly favouring to Dr Rafia for which whole DG office, 6 Bridge Colony, Lahore Cantt is the witness'.

The News talked to ACE DG, who categorically denied and said, 'I didn't harass the lady rather respected her by not arresting her. He said that my officials working in the office are eye witnesses. Even my voice was not loud because I respect all ladies.' He added that she will be dealt according to law.