ISLAMABAD: (Staff Reporter) – The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to seek legal advice on its statutory authority over the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) following directives from Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal to investigate complaints related to the examination in Sindh.
The PMDC has referred the matter to its legal department to determine the extent of its powers and responsibilities concerning the MDCAT.
The regulatory body said it would proceed in accordance with the health minister’s directives after receiving the legal opinion.
According to sources, the PMDC has limited operational authority over the MDCAT and is not directly responsible for conducting the examination. They said the medical university authorised to conduct the test is responsible for investigating complaints or irregularities related to the examination.
The council, however, assured that it would provide all possible assistance in the investigation into MDCAT 2026 in Sindh.
The PMDC also clarified that conducting universities are responsible for preparing, printing, storing and transporting examination papers, as well as managing the test itself.
Sources said the council had not received any direct complaints regarding the MDCAT.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal took notice last week of complaints regarding MDCAT results in Sindh and ordered an inquiry into the 2026 examination.
Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader and Member of the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar on Monday also demanded a comprehensive inquiry into MDCAT 2026.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters, Dr Sattar raised questions over the examination’s management by IBA Sukkur, including the number of test centres, facilities provided to candidates and the marking process.
He questioned the use of funds collected from students, saying candidates were charged Rs9,000 for the examination but allegedly received inadequate facilities. He said some students were forced to sit the test outdoors amid extreme heat.
Dr Sattar said only two examination centres were established in Karachi for around 12,000 candidates, while 33,000 students appeared for the test across Sindh. He contrasted this with Peshawar, where 16 centres were reportedly established for around 16,000 candidates.
He also questioned the selection of examination centres along University Road, which he said had remained in poor condition for years, despite students being instructed to report as early as 6am.
The MQM-P leader further called for an investigation into the marking system, particularly after a student reportedly scored 179 out of 180 marks. He criticised what he described as inconsistencies in the results and sarcastically remarked that such trends could eventually result in students receiving marks exceeding the total score.
Dr Sattar also questioned why no student from Karachi secured a top position on the merit list.
He recalled that MDCAT examinations conducted by the National Testing Service between 2009 and 2019 had not faced similar controversy, claiming that disputes emerged after the Sindh government took over the process.
Dr Sattar alleged that the controversy surrounding MDCAT 2026 was politically motivated and accused the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party of maintaining control over provincial institutions for nearly two decades. The allegations could not be independently verified.
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