KARACHI: A major scandal has surfaced involving two private nursing institutions in Karachi, where over 100 students are allegedly being blackmailed for their essential academic documents.
The management of St. James School of Nursing and Health Sciences and St. Mary’s School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences is reportedly refusing to issue consolidated marks sheets and provisional certificates—both of which are mandatory for students to obtain their final degrees and begin their professional careers.
According to reports, the college administration, led by Mr. James Watt, is demanding an alleged illegal payment of Rs. 20,000 from each student before releasing these documents. Approximately 50 students from each institution are affected, bringing the total demanded amount to an estimated Rs. 2 million.
Investigations reveal that when students resisted the initial demand for cash, the management shifted its tactics, claiming the payment was a mandatory "convocation fee." Students have provided digital evidence, including WhatsApp communications from the college, to support these allegations of extortion.
The withholding of these certificates has left graduates in a state of limbo. Despite completing their grueling five-year BSN program, they are unable to apply for nursing licenses or join hospitals as registered professionals. Many of these students come from humble backgrounds, and their parents have already exhausted their savings on five years of tuition.
While these institutions were previously affiliated with the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), there are ongoing concerns regarding their current regulatory standing. Despite multiple attempts to reach the owner, James Watt, for a comment on these allegations, no response has been received.
Affected students and health activists are now calling on the Sindh Health Department, the Directorate of Nursing Sindh, and the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) to intervene immediately. They are demanding the unconditional release of their marks sheets and certificates so they can transition into the healthcare workforce without further delay.
