Massive Fake “Made in Thailand” Smuggling Ring Busted at Laem Chabang Port

ISLAMABAD: Accountability4Cambridge has called for a student protest against Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) over alleged examination paper leaks during the 2026 examination cycle, saying the incidents have raised serious concerns about fairness and the credibility of Cambridge examinations. The student group said reports of leaked papers emerged in 2024 and increased in 2025, but Cambridge failed to provide sufficient public explanations or demonstrate that it had effectively strengthened its examination security system. According to Accountability4Cambridge, leaked material from several major papers circulated before scheduled examination times in 2026. The group compiled evidence from 17 alleged cases, including screen recordings showing time-zone information that it says established that the material was available before the relevant examinations. Cambridge recognised four cases and took action, but the students say the remaining evidence was not adequately addressed. The group raised the issue before the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on May 18 and again on June 16. Following the meetings, a sub-committee comprising IBCC, Cambridge, Accountability4Cambridge, the British Council, the Ministry of Education and NCCIA was formed. During a July 13 meeting, the students presented the 17 recordings and asked Cambridge to respond. After Cambridge questioned the reliability of the videos, Accountability4Cambridge sought forensic verification from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). The group said NCCIA’s report, received on July 29, found no evidence of tampering in the submitted recordings. Accountability4Cambridge subsequently requested another sub-committee meeting to present the forensic findings. The meeting was initially scheduled for August 7 but was postponed to August 12 after Cambridge said it was unavailable. The students have also criticised Cambridge’s decision to use S1 paper marks instead of assessed marks. They argue that using compromised papers for grading could unfairly benefit students who accessed leaked material while disadvantaging those who did not. Accountability4Cambridge is demanding reversal of the S1 marking decision, lower grade thresholds for Computer Science and Mathematics, recognition of additional leaks supported by forensic evidence, publication of a detailed investigation report and a transparent mechanism for handling compromised examinations. The group has also urged schools to demand greater accountability from Cambridge. Founder Samaak Iqbal Malik said the dispute concerns the integrity of the entire examination system rather than a few individual papers. The organisation has announced a student demonstration outside the IBCC office in G-10, Islamabad, at 1pm on Wednesday, August 12, calling for immediate action before the controversy further affects students’ academic futures.

Islamabad: The Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) and the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) have joined hands to combat violent extremism, promote inter-sectarian harmony and strengthen peacebuilding efforts across Pakistan. The two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday at a ceremony attended by senior officials. Professor Dr Ahmed Saad Alahmed, Acting Rector and President of IIUI, and Mr Jawad Ahmad Dogar, PSP, National Coordinator of NACTA, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. The MoU follows several months of consultations and meetings between the two sides. The discussions identified areas for cooperation and established a long-term framework for joint initiatives. Both institutions also nominated focal persons to coordinate the partnership, while the draft agreement went through legal review before receiving final approval. Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Dr Ahmed Saad Alahmed highlighted the importance of cooperation between universities and national institutions in addressing major social challenges. He said universities have a key role in producing credible research, encouraging balanced religious discourse and providing practical policy recommendations that support national unity and social cohesion. Mr Jawad Ahmad Dogar described IRI as one of Pakistan’s leading centres for Islamic scholarship and policy research. He said the partnership would combine academic expertise with practical national experience to develop initiatives that promote tolerance and help prevent violent extremism. The collaboration has already produced its first major initiative. On July 9, 2026, IRI and NACTA jointly organised a pilot seminar titled **“Inter-Sectarian Harmony: Past Efforts and Future Roadmap.”** The event brought together scholars, policymakers, religious leaders and practitioners to discuss ways to improve sectarian understanding and develop lasting mechanisms for religious harmony. The two institutions are now preparing a major joint programme for August 2026, which will focus on academic dialogue, policy engagement and community outreach. The partnership also supports the government’s broader policy to establish Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Centres at higher education institutions across the country. Under the MoU, IRI and NACTA will work together on research, training workshops, educational resources and capacity-building programmes to help universities establish and effectively operate CVE Centres. The agreement also covers joint research projects, policy studies, conferences, seminars, faculty development, curriculum support, publications and other capacity-building activities. The two sides will continue to engage researchers, policymakers, religious scholars, educators and practitioners to address emerging threats of violent extremism through research-based strategies. IRI reaffirmed its commitment to providing a national platform for Islamic scholarship and policy research, while NACTA expressed its resolve to strengthen cooperation with academic institutions to help build a peaceful, inclusive and resilient Pakistan.