SHC directs PMDC to submit policy for MDCAT in Sindh

The Sindh High Court on Thursday directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), Sindh government and others to place on record its policy for the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) in Sindh.

The direction came on a petition of students against non-disclosure of MDCAT retake test question papers by the testing service. The petitioners had submitted that the MDCAT lacked transparency, fairness and equity as examination authorities failed to publish or provide the question paper to the petitioners after the examination, which deviated from the established and recognised practice being constantly followed in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad where question papers were available for the verification.

The petitioners’ counsel, Jibran Nasir, submitted that the refusal to provide question papers after the examination raised significant concern regarding the integrity and credibility of the examination process and violated the petitioners’ fundamental rights.

He submitted that the failure of the respondents to provide question papers deprived the petitioners of their right to ensure accuracy and fairness of their assessment, placing them at a distinct disadvantage and breaching the principles of natural justice. He said that such arbitrary and discriminatory actions undermined the examination process and required immediate rectification to protect the fundamental rights of the petitioners and uphold transparency in the MDCAT.

The high court was requested to direct the PMDC and testing service to publish the MDCAT retake test question paper along with revised and correct answer keys on its official website and allow the students a specified time period to submit their grievances regarding the question paper, if any, and address them in accordance with the law.

A counsel for the PMDC referred to the Article 17 (1) of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Act whereby in effect each province was to prepare the policy and standards approved by the provincial governments for conducting the MDCAT.

A division bench of the high court headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha directed the PMDC’s counsel and provincial government to place on record such a policy for Sindh. The SHC observed that if any policy existed, its advance copy be supplied to the petitioners’ counsel, and adjourned the hearing till February 25.