Employees of the Bannu Educational Board held a strong demonstration against Acting Chairman Imtiaz Ayub, accusing him of financial irregularities, misuse of authority and corruption in the examination system. The protesters warned they could stop marking papers and suspend examination-related work if their demands are not addressed.
The protest was led by Employees’ Union leader Samiullah Durrani and included representation from the Private Schools Association and a large number of students. Speakers at the gathering said the Bannu Board protest reflects long-running grievances over transparency and management at the institution.
Addressing the crowd, Bannu Board Employees Association President Samiullah Durrani, PEN President Irfan Khan and other speakers alleged that Mr Ayub—who is also serving as chairman of the Kohat Educational Board—has turned administration of the Bannu Board into a centre of alleged corruption and mismanagement. They claimed appointments for superintendents, deputy superintendents and invigilators involved transactions of large sums, with a specific individual acting as a tout to facilitate placements.
Protesters further alleged that some examination staff are collecting illegal payments from students and parents, placing severe mental stress on financially vulnerable pupils. They said Bannu Division already faces law and order and security challenges, and the current situation risks tarnishing the reputation of board employees through social media campaigns led by close associates of the chairman.
Speakers said Mr Ayub has visited the Bannu Board only twice in the last two months and that most decisions are being handled via WhatsApp and social media. They also claimed that despite having three official vehicles, the chairman uses the Bannu Board vehicle and has charged the board fuel expenses amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees.
Employees said those tasked with delivering question papers to remote areas are forced to rent private vehicles without reimbursement. They raised concerns over large-scale irregularities in procurement, noting that answer sheets were reportedly bought for Rs. 60 per sheet at the Bannu Board while similar sheets were purchased at Rs. 120 for the Kohat Board, alleging potential embezzlement running into millions.
The protesters demanded that the Chief Minister, the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Provincial Minister for Education immediately withdraw the additional charge of the Bannu Board from Imtiaz Ayub and appoint a local professor as chairman to restore proper management. They warned that if the demands are ignored they will escalate the Bannu Board protest by halting scanning, then marking, and ultimately locking down the secrecy branch, placing responsibility for any disruption squarely on the acting chairman.
Leaders of the Private Schools Association and students also addressed the gathering, sharply criticising the chairman’s performance and pressing for his immediate removal to safeguard the integrity of the examination system.
