KARACHI:
In recent weeks, the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has drawn much criticism because of irregularities in their testing system. Medical students across the country voiced their complaints regarding the situation because of which the PMC handed over the responsibility of testing to a private company before continuing with the examinations schedule.
However, once the results were released, students again complained of irregularities. They further claimed that the examination itself included out-of-course questions. Initially, the students remained silent since they did not have enough proof. However, they soon formed a council against the PMC and marched towards the Balochistan assembly during the month of August. Unfortunately, the police intercepted the protesters and baton-charged them. Many were injured and jailed. Different political leaders expressed their solidarity with the students, claiming that the institution itself is corrupt. A student managed to register an FIR against the PMC but was later forced to withdraw it due to external pressures. The Lahore High Court also issued a notice to the PMC in this regard. Subsequently, once all the details of their corruption were revealed, the senior members of the PMC were either forced to resign or were terminated.
Private companies are tampering with the futures of thousands of students, which is discouraging them from pursuing medical and dental professions. The federal and provincial governments should actively reform the PMC and other similar institutions to protect the rights of students and ensure high quality education.
Amir Hussain
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, October 2nd, 2021.
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