Axact to face legal action if allegations proved: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Water and Power, Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday said investigations were underway into the Axact fake degree scam and if fraud gets proven action will be taken against the company under the law.

Talking to media persons here, the Minister, however, said that Axact will be allowed an opportunity to clarify its position over allegations of involvement in the issuance of fake degrees.

Khawaja Asif said The New York Times is a prestigious media outlet and a punishment becomes due if the allegations get proved against Axact.

The NYT carried an investigative news report of well-known reporter Declan Walsh on the alleged involvement of Axact in issuing fake degrees and certificates to clients and making millions out of the fraudulent activities.

The minister further said he would neither accept nor refute the allegations against Axact as investigation has been launched into the matter.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) vice chairman, Shah Mehmood Qureshi urged the Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar to give a detailed statement in the National Assembly in connection with the allegations being faced by Axact.

He said the Interior Minister should share with the nation details relating to Axact, for example, how the company secured the license and who the license issuing authority was.

“The Interior Minister should take the National Assembly into confidence over the issue and share in details as to what activities this company has been involved in,” he said.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said in case there is even a fraction of truth in the Axact degree scandal then it must not be allowed to go unpunished.

Senator Talha Mehmood

Senator Talha Mehmood warned that the media’s credibility would suffer a dent if ‘such elements’ became part of the mainstream journalism.