Sindh High Court Orders MDCAT Retake Within Four Weeks
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed authorities to conduct a fresh Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) within four weeks. This decision follows a probe committee’s unanimous conclusion that the entire test procedure was compromised. The SHC specified that the retake must occur on the same day across the province, organized by IBA Karachi and IBA Sukkur.
No Additional Fees for Students
A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, declared that no additional fees would be charged to the students or candidates, as they had already paid the necessary dues. The court instructed the Sindh government to cover all expenses associated with the retake and to hire the services of IBA Karachi and IBA Sukkur for this purpose. These directives were issued while addressing a series of petitions filed by candidates requesting the SHC to annul the MDCAT conducted on September 22 and to mandate a retake.
Court Proceedings and Committee Findings
The hearing at the Sindh High Court focused on petitions alleging irregularities in the MDCAT. During the session, the court scrutinized the actions of the committee, recalling that it had ordered the committee’s formation in a previous hearing and inquiring about any progress made since then. Committee Chairperson Shireen Narejo presented the findings, with the court noting that the primary responsibility lay with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and Dow University.
Shireen Narejo explained that the committee had reviewed Dow University’s examination system, considering statements and evidence from the petitioners. Some students had expressed their desire not to retake the exam, and their opinions were factored into the committee’s findings. However, the committee identified flaws in the examination system, with around 40-42 individuals found responsible for compromising the exam process.
Confirmation of Compromise and Ongoing Investigations
The court questioned whether the examination mechanism had been compromised, particularly if there had been a leak. Narejo confirmed that answers and exam questions had circulated on WhatsApp. When asked about the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) involvement, FIA officials reported that they were conducting forensic analyses of the phones of those involved, recovering deleted messages, and gathering physical evidence. The court also inquired about the investigation at Jinnah Sindh Medical University, which the FIA indicated would conclude shortly.
Justice Salahuddin Panhwar emphasized the necessity of providing a fair opportunity for all students. While the FIA and the government are responsible for the investigation, he highlighted the importance of ensuring no one is deprived of their rightful chance.
Concerns About Examination Integrity
A committee member noted that due to inefficiencies within the university, there was a significant risk of system compromise. The court questioned Dow University’s capability to conduct exams, revealing that exam questions had been only slightly altered from previous versions before their release. Upon learning that college professors were responsible for preparing the question paper, the court expressed surprise at the potential for bias in the question-setting process.
Justice Panhwar questioned the PMDC’s counsel regarding their involvement, pointing out that certain influential areas had limited PMDC oversight. He noted that results from some boards, such as in Hyderabad, had not been announced, suggesting possible financial incentives influencing the process. The court ordered immediate announcement of the MDCAT results and raised concerns over the high exam fees, questioning why the test seemed tailored more for elite students rather than being accessible to all. The PMDC counsel explained that administering the exam was a provincial responsibility.
