Remote areas’ students couldn’t qualify for MDCAT, Senate told

Senator Aurangzeb says some students have obtained fake domiciles to get admission on erstwhile FATA allocated seats

ISLAMABAD:

In a Senate session on Friday, lawmakers pointed out issues in the process of Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in which many eligible students, particularly belonging to remote areas, could not qualify for the admission.

“Some students have obtained fake domiciles to get admission on erstwhile FATA allocated seats,” said Senator Aurangzeb Orakzai demanding the issue should be sent to the committee concerned.

Speaking on the point of order, Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Muhammad Shahi said rural areas students couldn’t compete with the students studying in major cities. This was very important issue and should be resolved on priority, he added.

To resolve the issue, Senator Ghous Muhammad Khan Niazi proposed that MDCAT should be held on provincial level.

During the session, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani directed the ministry concerned to get a report regarding the recently held MDCAT from Pakistan Medical Commission.

Besides, the discussion also held on issues of trade for local people in border areas, peace in Balochistan and electricity and internet in merged tribal areas.

Raising the issue of trade, Senator Dr Jahanzeb Jamaldini said the majority of local people were dependent on the border trades.

Talking about the issue of terrorism in Balochistan, Senator Babar said the province was peaceful at the moment.

Senator Bahramand Khan Tangi said electricity metres should be installed in merged districts of erstwhile FATA, adding this was the only solution to stop illegal use of electricity through “kundas” in these areas.

Besides, Senator Barrister Muhammad Saif said launching of 3G and 4G services in the erstwhile FATA was a very good initiative, adding mechanism should be adopted to stop the misuse of social media across the country. “Fake accounts are being created with the names of prominent personalities on social media.”

The Senate chairman referred the issue to the committee concerned and directed it to invite Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman for briefing in this regard.

Also, Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi raised the issue of provision of gas facility to the people of Nathiagali, saying a survey was completed in this regard and pending work should be done on priority.

The issue of gas facility was also raised during the session. Senator Mohsin Aziz said the facility was essential for the areas of Nathiagali and other areas.

Senator Rubina Khalid, Senator Muhammad Usman Kakar and Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri also spoke on the occasion.