IHC Halts PMDC from Finalising Medical College Admissions

PAKISTAN: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to suspend the finalisation of the merit list for candidates seeking admission to medical and dental colleges. The directive came during a hearing on Thursday, following complaints by students about the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) conducted on September 22, 2024.

According to an article published by Ikram Junaidi on Dawn’s website, the decision was prompted by concerns raised by students who claimed that the MDCAT examination included around 30 out-of-syllabus or incorrect questions. These students, represented by Advocate Adil Aziz Qazi, expressed fears that the inclusion of these disputed questions would unfairly impact admissions.

Court Orders and Proceedings

Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir presided over the case and issued the directive to the PMDC. The court has also summoned the PMDC registrar to appear at the next hearing. The order stated, “PMDC is restrained from finalising the 2024 MDCAT merit list/results and no institution shall start the process of admissions on the basis of impugned results, till the final outcome of this petition.”

The petitioners argued that some medical colleges had already begun admitting students based on the contested MDCAT results, raising questions about the test’s legitimacy. In response, the court issued notices to the PMDC and other involved stakeholders, urging them to provide clarifications on the matter.

More than 22,000 students sat for the entry test, which was conducted by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University in Islamabad. Passing this examination is mandatory for admission to medical and dental institutions across the country. However, with the court’s ruling, the admissions process remains on hold until further notice.

Advocacy for IT-Based Admissions System

Amid the ongoing legal proceedings, the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA) has voiced its support for an alternative method of conducting admissions. According to Dawn’s article, PIMA welcomed a recent recommendation from the Ministry of Health to replace the existing MDCAT with an IT-based admission system. The Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Health, Dr Malik Mukhtar, informed a parliamentary committee that the ministry was considering the switch, as it could help eliminate some of the ongoing issues surrounding the MDCAT.

PIMA President Prof Dr Atif Hafeez Siddiqui expressed his approval of the potential transition, pointing out longstanding concerns about the fairness and transparency of the MDCAT system. “The introduction of an IT-based examination system is a commendable step towards ensuring transparency and fairness. PIMA has long advocated for a flawless system where hardworking students are evaluated justly,” he remarked.

Dr Siddiqui further emphasised the importance of ensuring that any new system be free of errors and fully transparent. He underscored the need for diligent students to be evaluated in a fair manner, noting that the existing system has often exposed them to “irregularities and external influences.”

Future of Medical and Dental Admissions

The debate over the MDCAT and potential reforms is set to continue, with both the court’s decision and the Ministry of Health’s recommendations playing key roles in shaping the future of medical admissions in Pakistan. The IHC’s injunction has temporarily halted the admissions process, but stakeholders remain hopeful that a resolution will be reached that ensures a fair, transparent, and equitable system for aspiring medical and dental students.

Dr Atif Hafeez Siddiqui expressed optimism about the proposed IT-based system, stating, “We strongly support this initiative and look forward to its prompt implementation, benefiting future medical and dental students across the country.” As the situation unfolds, the attention of students, educators, and policymakers remains focused on the outcome of this pivotal case.