SHC orders retake of MDCAT

Issues strong warnings against 'playing with future of children'

KARACHI:

In response to a petition alleging irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), the Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed that the test be reconducted within four weeks.

During the hearing, the court firmly stated that students should not be subjected to undue stress and that "no games should be played" with their futures.

A divisional bench led by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and including Justice Amjad Ali Sahito reviewed the petitions on irregularities in the MDCAT process.

The court questioned the previous committee's progress, asking if they had worked on the matter or "simply stayed home".

Committee Chair Shireen Narejo presented a report, outlining that the responsibility primarily rested with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and Dow University, not the testing agency. The court expressed frustration over the shifting responsibilities, noting that different universities had been burdened with the task at various points.

Narejo informed that the committee reviewed Dow University's examination system and consulted both petitioners' evidence and students' statements, with some students opposing a retake.

In its findings, the committee identified flaws within the examination system, with potential compromises at different points, involving over 40 personnel.

When asked by the court if this meant the test had been leaked, Narejo replied that answers and questions had indeed circulated on WhatsApp.

Justice Panhwar stated that those who sat for the test should not be subjected to a "mental sword" hanging over their heads.

PMDC's counsel informed the court that an inquiry was underway to identify responsible individuals and address the issue of leaked papers.

Justice Panhwar, expressing concerns about influential figures manipulating the system, remarked that the PMDC seemed powerless over certain universities.

The court inquired about the financial details of the exams, to which PMDC's counsel had no specific response.

Justice Sahito suggested the amount involved could exceed Rs45 million. Justice Panhwar remarked that the PMDC appeared to exercise authority selectively, targeting only those with limited power.

The court raised the idea that the PMDC should step down if it could not uphold its mandate and demanded a response from the Secretary of Universities within 30 minutes.

They urged the Sindh government to devise an actionable strategy if the exam were to be re-conducted, with details on maintaining transparency and adherence to the curriculum.