Karachi Board Matric Exams 2026: No Male Invigilators Allowed in Female Centres, Burqa and Abaya Removal Banned

The Matric exams in Karachi undergo a significant policy change. The chairman Ghulam Hussain Sohoo has forbidden the presence of male invigilators at female centers and clearly forbids the enforcement of students to do away the abaya. These guidelines put the dignity and cultural qualities of students and academic integrity at the center of the examination cycle in 2026 at 521 city-wide centers.

Karachi Matric Exams: New Directives Shield Female Students

The BSEK Board of Secondary Education recently adopted a solid position on the privacy of students. A more explicit order was given by chairman Ghulam Hussain Sohoo: female students should not be pressed into taking off their burqas or abaya on the exams in the 9th and 10th grades. The action is a direct response to the recent safety issues of student comfort and cultural respect.

The board has also barred male invigilators from female-only centers. This ensures an environment where students can focus entirely on their papers without unnecessary anxiety.

Key Directive: “No student shall be asked to remove her veil. We will take strict action against any center superintendent who violates these instructions,” Sohoo stated during his visit to city centers.

Over 385,000 students are currently appearing at 521 centers across Karachi. To manage the load, the Science Group tests in the morning while the General Group follows in the afternoon. Despite the high stakes, the Chairman reported that girls’ centers remain highly disciplined. In fact, no cheating complaints have surfaced from these locations so far.

BSEK is also tackling the digital age. The FIA Cyber Crime wing is now monitoring WhatsApp groups to prevent paper leaks. Furthermore, a “Standing Order” is in place for students struggling with center locations. If you can’t find your assigned hall, the nearest center must allow you to sit for your exam.