Karachi: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to seek a joint review of Sindh’s MDCAT following federal health ministry instructions, although council officials say an internal review has found no anomalies in the examination.
PMDC officials said the council would approach the Sindh Health Department to review the Medical and Dental College Admission Test conducted by Sukkur IBA University’s SIBA Testing Services. The proposed exercise would jointly involve provincial health authorities, PMDC and the examination-conducting service, they added.
However, council officials maintained that PMDC had already reviewed the examination internally and found no anomalies. The proposed joint review follows the ministry’s request for a thorough inquiry into complaints about transparency and fair play.
The development comes amid anger and frustration among candidates who appeared in the examination in Karachi and questioned whether the process provided a fair opportunity to all applicants. The ministry has asked PMDC to investigate the concerns and submit a report within 15 days.
In an October 2 letter addressed to PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination said media reports had questioned fair play in the conduct of Sindh’s 2026 MDCAT. It noted that grievances were also being raised on social media and public representatives had expressed concern.
The letter said the competent authority had taken a serious view of the situation and sought a thorough inquiry to uphold transparency and fair play. It specified five areas for investigation, including analysis of results, scrutiny of examination records and complaints, and fixing responsibility for any lapse that materially affected the examination.
A key requirement is a centre-wise analysis of results, covering candidate numbers, marks and percentages, pass rates and the distribution of high scores. PMDC has also been asked to examine any unusual or significant variations between centres.
The ministry has instructed that all relevant examination records and data be secured and examined. These include attendance sheets, seating plans, centre records, result data, invigilation arrangements and, where permissible, electronic or digital records.
It has also sought investigation of complaints and allegations involving procedural irregularities, unauthorised assistance, impersonation, leakage, technical failures or administrative lapses. The letter requires these complaints to be examined on the basis of verifiable evidence and applicable law.
Relevant reports and records concerning the conduct of the examination and compilation of results are also to be obtained. The requested scrutiny therefore covers both examination arrangements and preparation of the results.
The ministry has asked that responsibility be fixed if any irregularity, malpractice, technical failure or other factor is found to have materially affected the examination’s integrity or outcome. The letter does not establish that such violations occurred or identify any individual or institution as responsible.
Signed by Muhammad Ishaq, Section Officer (Admin-V), the directive requests necessary action and submission of a report within 15 days. Copies were marked to the offices of the federal health minister, federal health secretary, PMDC registrar and additional secretary.
The ministry’s letter does not order cancellation of the examination, a retest or revision of results. PMDC officials said the council would seek the joint review while maintaining that its internal scrutiny had found no anomalies.