Admissions to medical colleges: SHC bars govt from conducting fresh test

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday suspended operation of the notification of Sindh government regarding cancellation of the results of the entry test for public sector medical colleges and universities and barred the government from conducting fresh entry tests.
Petitioners Haziq Khursheed and NGO PASBAN Welfare Foundation moved court challenging the decision of Sindh government with regard to cancellation of entry tests conducted by the National Testing Servi ce for medical colleges and universities admissions.
The petitioners submitted that the entry test were conducted at 5 centers in which 2,100 students passed out of 22,000 candidates on October 25. They submitted that after the announcement of test results the rumors on social media were spread that question paper of NTS was leaked a day before the test. They submitted that several candidates on basis of the report questioned validity of NTS and challenged it in the SHC. They submitted that the health department without any lawful authority or reason to justify gave advantage to the failed students and constituted a committee to inquire into the leaking of question paper which is beyond its scope and jurisdiction.
They submitted that the health department for malafide reasons and to protect the interests of the failed candidates issued another notification whereby results of the entry tests conducted for public sector medical universities on October 22 were cancelled. They submitted that the petitioners and other candidates who had passed the test have acquired the vested rights as there is no allegation on such passing candidates nor there is any allegation of cheating against them. They submitted that impugned notification issued by the secretary health is illegal and secretary health has no power to issue such notification in violation of the law.
They said that the controversy of leaking test paper is a scam and entire campaign was organized with political backing to declare redundant an independent process of entry test for private sector medical colleges and universities. The petitioners submitted that the private sector medical colleges and universities are getting monetary benefits as the parents of students had reserved their children seats in these colleges and universities in case they could not get admission in public sector medical institutions.
The court is requested to declare the impugned notification of Sindh health department with regard to cancellation the entry test results of public sector medical colleges and universities as illegal and order that the petitioner who passed the entry test are entitled to get admission in medical colleges or universities. Petitioners also sought injunction against any fresh entry test for public sector medical colleges and universities in year 2017-18 and direct the government to develop a standard system for admission to medical colleges and universities. The court directed the counsel for NTS, PMDC and the provincial government to file comments and ordered to suspend the government notification till the case is pending with the court. The government is also barred from announcing any new date for fresh entry tests till the case is decided.
KDA employees: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed secretary local government to resolve the issue of repatriation of 98 employees of Karachi Development Authority. The court also directed Malir Development Authority to pay the outstanding salaries of the KDA employees working on deputation in MDA.
The court was hearing the petition of KDA employees against refusal of posting in the parent department. The petitioners submitted that KDA had transferred two schemes to Malir Development Authority along with staff and now they are being repatriated to the parent department but the KDA is not accepting them. They submitted that they are not being given salaries for the last several months while several other officers of KDA and MDA are still working in the department on deputation.