Committee set up to investigate MDCAT ‘paper leak’

Following allegations of paper leaks prior to the Medical Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held on Sunday, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon has formed a committee to investigate matter.

According to a statement of JSMU, university registrar Dr Azam Khan will be the secretary of the committee. The body will comprise Prof Syed Masroor Ahmed, dean of the faculty of medical and allied sciences at JSMU; additional health secretary Maula Bakhsh Shaikh, and Aleemuddin, representing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) regional office in Karachi.

For the first time, the committee also includes an official of grade 17 or above representing the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing.

The committee will hold its first meeting immediately after its formation and submit its report to the higher authorities within one week.

The students were asked to send their complaints at the JSMU registrar office or email them at registrar@jsmu.edu.pk.

Until 2021, the MDCAT written test for admission to medical colleges were held at central level under the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. But on the directives of former PPP Sindh government, ex-provincial health minister Abdul Qadir Patel in 2022 through 18th amendment gave its control to the provinces.

This year JSMU was assigned the responsibility for MBBS and BDS admissions in medical colleges of Sindh for the year 2023-24.

The written examination papers were also prepared by JSMU.