The federal government has ordered a formal cybercrime investigation into the ongoing Cambridge exam paper controversy after British officials suggested the issue may have stemmed from theft of papers rather than a direct system breach.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Interior Secretary Muhammad Khurram Agha, attended by officials from the education ministry, British Council, Cambridge Assessment International Education, the foreign ministry, and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
According to the interior ministry, the British deputy high commissioner informed participants that preliminary findings pointed more toward theft of examination material instead of an actual leak from Cambridge’s systems.
The controversy has sparked panic among O and AS Level students across Pakistan after multiple mathematics papers allegedly surfaced on social media before scheduled exam timings.
During the meeting, the interior secretary expressed concern over the situation and directed NCCIA to work closely with Cambridge authorities to identify those responsible.
Officials also agreed that Cambridge would review and strengthen its examination procedures to plug potential loopholes and improve safeguards around paper handling.
The latest developments come just a day after Cambridge confirmed another incident involving the premature sharing of an AS Level Mathematics paper conducted in Pakistan.
Earlier, the examination board had acknowledged that an AS Level Mathematics paper held on April 29 had been compromised. A retake exam for affected students has now been scheduled for June 9.
Cambridge had also postponed another mathematics paper planned for May 15 as a precautionary measure amid growing concerns online.
The examination body described the incidents as “unprecedented” and said it believed criminal networks were attempting to disrupt examinations and damage students’ academic futures.
Cambridge also confirmed it is pursuing legal action against individuals involved in circulating the papers.
Visit EduNation to find scholarships from around the world.
