Punjab’s School Education Minister, Rana Sikandar Hayat, has brought to light disturbing revelations regarding the ongoing Matric (Class-9) Annual Exams 2024 in Lahore. He disclosed that examination centers had been illegally sold to the cheating mafia for Rs80,000, exposing a rampant culture of corruption within the education system. Hayat expressed his determination to prevent Punjab from suffering the same fate as Sindh and Karachi in terms of exam cheating, emphasizing the need for decisive action. The suspension of the BISE chairman marks the beginning of efforts to combat this issue, with Hayat accusing the Board chairman and controller of examinations of collusion with the cheating mafia. To combat this menace, Hayat announced the apprehension of 30 individuals from examination centers, signaling a crackdown on the cheating syndicate. Shockingly, advance arrangements for the sale and purchase of mathematics papers were uncovered, with private school entities purchasing centers to secure high marks for their students. The minister revealed the exorbitant rates for purchasing exam papers, ranging from Rs4,000 to Rs7,000, with invigilators openly discussing these fees on social media platforms. Hayat commended Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s firm stance against the cheating mafia and pledged to eradicate this corruption under her leadership, underscoring the government’s commitment to ensuring a fair and transparent examination system.