Action plan okayed for MDCAT re-conduct

Examination centres will be set up in seven districts

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government on Saturday approved a proposed action plan for the re-conduct of Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) on Nov 26 which assures its transparency in every aspect.

The decision came during a high-level meeting, chaired by caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, which took stock of preparations and arrangements for re-holding the test.

The meeting reviewed in detail the action plan, which was proposed by the Khyber Medical University, Peshawar.

Read SHC rejects pleas against MDCAT re-conduct

 

Adviser to CM on Health Dr Riaz Anwar, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary Home Abid Majeed, administrative secretaries of departments concerned, Khyber Medical University vice chancellor, high-ups of police and intelligence agencies and other authorities concerned attended the meeting whereas divisional commissioners also attended via video link.

The meeting decided to constitute a committee to be headed by additional chief secretary home to implement the action plan in letter and spirit.

The meeting was informed that MDCAT for admission in both the public and private sector medical and dental colleges of the province would be held on Nov 26 for which examination centres would be set up in seven districts of the province, including DI Khan, Kohat, Peshawar, Mardan, Dir Lower, Swat and Abbottabad.

It was further informed that a total of 46,220 registered candidates would participate in MDCAT whereas 219 candidates found involved in cheating during the previous test had been blacklisted.

It was also decided to assign special tasks to the police, district administration, intelligence agencies and other departments concerned for holding the MDCAT with utmost transparency.

Also read New MDCAT date announced for Sindh

The chief minister stressed the need for foolproof arrangements for holding the test in a transparent manner, directing all the authorities concerned to ensure that the illegal practice of cheating that happened during the MDCAT last time should not happen again.

He termed cheating during examinations and tests a menace, saying that strict measures were needed to get rid of it.

Background

On Oct 3, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) disposed of the writ petitions after the provincial government’s decision to retake the MDCAT.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Abdul Shakur and Justice Arshad Ali announced the decision, with a detailed verdict to be issued later.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5^th, 2023.