PML-N's MPA holds 'fake' degree, IHC told.

ISLAMABAD -- A private university has declared that a member of provincial assembly (MPA) of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) from Bahawalnagar, Kashif Mahmood, holds a bogus degree of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

The university on the directive of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) submitted a report about the authenticity of the MPA's educational credentials. In its report the university said that Mr Mahmood had never been its student.

Justice Aamer Farooq reserved his judgement on the matter.

The petition was filed by Abdul Ghaffar, a resident of the Bahawalnagar district. The petition cited the provincial assembly's secretary, Punjab Assembly's speaker, MPA Mahmood and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as respondents.

Earlier, ECP counsel Sanaullah Zahid had suggested to the IHC that the educational credentials of the lawmaker should be verified from the university.

In its report, the university states: 'The university has thoroughly checked the academic record of Mr Kashif Mahmood, son of Khalid Mahmood, from admission, registration, examination and accounts branches, whether he is supposed to be student of this university in the discipline of 'Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or otherwise'.

The report further states: 'The record held in the university reveals that Mr Kashif Mahmood, son of Khalid Mahmood, has neither been student of Al-Khair University Bhimber (AJK) nor graduated in the course of Bachelor of Business Administration.'

It concluded: 'That the claim of Respondent No. 4 [MPA Mahmood] that...