As powerful “mafias” increasingly influence medical and dental college admissions process and objections are mounting over Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), federal health ministry officials have directed Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to implement an IT-based solution, akin to SAT or Cambridge exams, a Senate panel was informed on Wednesday. “Admission test preparation for medical and dental colleges has turned into a multi-billion rupee industry, and each year, strong mafias attempt to manipulate MDCAT,” said Dr. Malik Mukhtar Bharath, Prime Minister’s Coordinator on Health.
He emphasised the need for a more secure, IT-driven admissions process to counter the influence of these external forces and protect the integrity of the exams. Dr. Bharath’s remarks were met with support from Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Health, who directed PMDC officials to devise a comprehensive plan for implementing an IT-based admissions system within three months. The proposed system would aim to reduce human involvement in the admissions process and limit opportunities for malpractice. During the meeting, Dr. Bharath acknowledged complaints about cheating and impersonation in the MDCAT 2024 but maintained that no credible evidence had been found to suggest the exam paper was leaked. “The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has informed us that no paper leaks were reported, although there were instances of using unfair means and impersonation at various test centers,” he told the Senate panel. While Dr. Bharath described the MDCAT conducted in Karachi as “questionable,” he clarified that no similar issues were reported from other parts of the country.
Amid these concerns, the senators also raised the issue of exorbitant tuition fees charged by private medical colleges. Senator Irfan Siddiqui expressed his frustration that students were being required to pay the full tuition upfront, despite laws mandating a 4-2 percent concession for those who do so. Both Senator Siddiqui and Senator Palwasha Khan highlighted how some institutions were violating the rules by increasing fees during ongoing academic sessions, a practice that places undue financial pressure on students and their families.
“If these colleges continue to ignore the law, we will introduce legislation to cap tuition fees for medical and dental schools,” Senator Siddiqui warned. Senator Palwasha echoed his concerns, leading to a grilling of Dr. Riaz Janjua, a representative of private medical colleges, alongside PMDC officials. The committee established a two-member team, headed by Senator Palwasha Khan, to investigate these fee practices and report back within two weeks. Chairman Chishti noted that the outcome of this investigation could prompt further parliamentary action if violations were found. During the session, PMDC President Dr. Rizwan Taj, who was attending virtually from Karachi, acknowledged that the high fees at medical and dental colleges were a serious concern. “Both students and parents are under immense pressure due to these costs,” Dr. Taj said, pledging that action would be taken against colleges that unlawfully raise fees mid-course.
The committee also focused on the alleged MDCAT paper leak from the September 22 exam. PMDC officials reported that six questions from the paper were flagged at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto University, prompting a probe by the IB, which ultimately found no evidence of a broader leak. However, it was noted that the exam was more difficult in certain provinces, which added to frustrations. Chairman Chishti voiced concerns about the current MDCAT system, emphasising that it is outdated and susceptible to manipulation.
He urged the PMDC to act swiftly in transitioning to a more secure IT-based system to prevent future issues. “The future of our students depends on this exam, and we cannot afford to compromise it,” Chishti said. The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Senators Palwasha Mohammed Zai Khan, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Irfan ul Haque Siddiqui, and Anusha Rehman Ahmad Khan, along with Secretary NHSR&C Nadeem Mahbub and other senior officials from the PMDC. The committee gave the PMDC three months to submit a proposal for the new admissions system. If the recommended IT-based system is adopted, it could mark a significant shift in the way medical and dental admissions are conducted in Pakistan, potentially curbing the influence of academies and external forces while offering a more transparent and equitable process for aspiring medical students, the Senate panel’s Chairman Senator Amir Chisti later told newsmen after the meeting.
