KMU to re-conduct MDCAT on Sunday

46,658 candidates register for rescheduled test after cheating scandal

PESHAWAR:

In a collaborative effort, the provincial government, Peshawar High Court, and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) have entrusted Khyber Medical University (KMU) Peshawar with the responsibility of conducting a rescheduled MDCAT examination set for Sunday.

Rigorous security measures, with support from law enforcement agencies including the police, FIA, Intelligence Bureau, and others, have been put in place to ensure the utmost transparency during the examination.

Professor Dr Ziaul Haq, the Vice-Chancellor of KMU, revealed that a total of 46,658 candidates have registered for the upcoming test. Notably, the registrations of 219 candidates have been revoked due to their involvement in unfair practices during the previous ETEA test.

Dr Zia urged parents to refrain from engaging in illegal activities that may jeopardize their children’s future, emphasizing the comprehensive arrangements being made to ensure a fair and transparent examination.

Detailed instructions for candidates will be provided in due course. Security precautions will include the installation of walk-through gates, signal jammers, and metal detectors at the entrances of all test centres.

Furthermore, candidates will undergo thorough body searches. A strict zero-tolerance policy will be enforced against any form of misconduct, such as the possession of mobile phones or electronic devices within the examination hall. Professor Dr Zia warned that individuals found with such accessories or engaged in unfair practices will be promptly handed over to law enforcement, an FIR will be registered against them, their possessions will be confiscated, and they will be barred from participating in future.

Ban imposed on purchase of books

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Caretaker government has imposed a complete ban on the procurement of books for the 18 public sector libraries due to lack of funds.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that the decision was taken to save funds as the provincial government was passing through a severe financial crisis of its entire existence and it was taking every step to cut costs.

“There are two main reasons. The first is non-availability of funds for the purpose and the second is lack of readers in these libraries,” said an official, adding that a formal directive has been sent to the director archives by the higher education department.

The director was informed that in the future no purchase would be made without prior consultation with the director colleges.

The director archives was also directed to increase the timing of these public sector libraries in order to provide more time to the BS students to use these libraries.

K-P has been faced with the worst economic crisis of its history as in May Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan expressed his unwavering commitment to overcoming the prevailing financial crisis in the province.

He emphasized that the provincial government is making extensive efforts to address the situation effectively.

Chief Minister Khan highlighted that K-P is currently facing a significant financial burden, with substantial outstanding dues owed by the federal government through various federal transfers.

These dues amount to billions of rupees, further complicating the financial challenges faced by the province. In light of this, the provincial government is actively engaging with the federal authorities to resolve these outstanding financial obligations.

 

The CM observed that the erstwhile Fata had been merged into K-P but the share of newly merged districts in NFC was never ever provided. “In order to resolve the financial issues of the province, a number of letters have been sent to the prime minister and federal finance minister,” he shared.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2023.