MDCAT result announcement stopped

SHC orders FIA to investigate paper leak allegations

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court has halted the announcement of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) results and ordered a committee to gather records from all institutions and prepare a report.

Additionally, the court has ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to appoint a team to investigate the matter.

A two-member bench led by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar heard a petition regarding the alleged irregularities in the MDCAT results, where Sindh chief secretary, vice chancellors of various universities, and other parties were present.

The court compared the examination results of students from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Sindh and found that the number of students scoring over 190 marks was higher in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Several students in Sindh also scored above 190 marks, prompting the court to question whether the papers had been leaked. Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) vice chancellor stated that universities prepare the papers themselves. He said that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council maintains that no paper leak had occurred.

Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah informed the court that the results from Sindh would be examined by comparing the scores of students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. Justice Amjad Ali Sehto remarked that if the paper was leaked from a single centre, only that division's exam should be suspended, not the entire Sindh examination. The court also stated that the issue of students scoring over 190 marks should be resolved.

During the hearing, it emerged that complaints of paper leaks had also been reported last year, but no appropriate action was taken. This time, allegations of irregularities in the examinations are being made, and questions have also been raised regarding the role of the media.

The court criticized the Health Department and PMDC, stating that they have completely failed. Additionally, it ordered the formation of a committee, which will include the Secretary of Endowments, Dr Shireen Narijo, and the Director of Cyber Crime from the FIA. The committee has been instructed to complete its investigation and submit a report within 15 days. The committee may seek assistance from any institution and can request records from universities and the PMDC.

MQM leader Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan praised the court's decision during a media interaction, stating that it is a matter concerning the future of the children, and the court has made the right decision. He emphasised that this issue should be resolved within 15 days and expressed his appreciation for the court's ruling in favour of candidates seeking admissions in medical and dental colleges.