ISLAMABAD/RAWALAKOT – Hundreds of young jobseekers from Pakistan-administered Kashmir say they have been defrauded by a business group that promised them lucrative jobs in exchange for expensive training courses.
More than a year after completing the courses, the applicants say they have received no employment – and the company has stopped responding to their calls.
The job promises
In March 2024, advertisements appeared under the banner of the Sardar Group of Companies, owned by former Prime Minister of Pakistani-administered Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas.
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The ads, circulated widely in local media, offered over 400 jobs across multiple sectors including education, real estate, healthcare and transport. Positions ranged from school principals and accountants to drivers and security officers, with salaries advertised from 70,000 to 200,000 Pakistani rupees per month.
However, applicants were told they first needed to complete 4-6 week training courses run by the group’s subsidiary, The Tenacious.
The alleged scam
While the advertised registration fee was 5,000 rupees, multiple victims told Kashmir International they were charged 20,000 to 30,000 rupees each.
One woman from Rawalakot, who trained to be a driver, said she spent hundreds of thousands of rupees on accommodation in Islamabad during the extended three-month course.
“They stopped answering our calls. We were clearly scammed,” she said.
Another applicant from Bagh district said: “Over 200 of us completed courses. They promised jobs but gave nothing.”
Failed educational project
The group also launched The Tenacious University in Rawalakot earlier this year, hiring teachers and staff. But employees say they were never paid.
One teacher, who asked not to be named, said:
“The building didn’t even look like a real university. They told us to recruit students, then abandoned the project.”
No response from company
Repeated attempts by Kashmir International to contact Sardar Group officials, including spokesperson Raja Qamar uz Zaman, were unsuccessful. Calls either went unanswered or were cut off.
Victims demand justice
The affected jobseekers are now demanding:
- Legal action against those responsible
- Compensation for their financial losses
- Intervention by authorities in Pakistani-administered Kashmir
“A whole year of our lives was wasted,” said one applicant. “We want justice.”
If you have been affected by similar issues, you can share your experience with us at [email protected]
