Education Desk
Islamabad: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has come under scrutiny due to the prolonged delay in releasing merit lists for medical aspirants. Students from Ex-FATA districts and Balochistan province have been anxiously awaiting the placement lists for MBBS and BDS programs, raising concerns about potential academic setbacks.
The HEC took a scholarship test in December 2023 and has failed to upload it’s final list for students of Balochistan and Ex-FATA after 4 to 5 months.
The delay has left students in a precarious situation, especially as medical sessions in Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) have already commenced several months ago. Many fear that this delay could result in a wasted academic year.
Salar Baloch, a student from Kharan district, expressed his frustration, saying, “I walk kilometers away from home to check the latest updates of the HEC list but return disappointed.” His sentiment echoes that of countless other students who are eagerly awaiting their placement.
Last year, dozens of students faced a similar predicament when the University of Health Sciences (UHS) refused to accept their admissions. Naimat Ullah Kakar, an HEC scholar from Pishin, recounted his experience at Gujranwala Medical College (GMC), where the college administration asked him to officially join in 2023 despite his initial visit in August 2022.
The delayed display of merit lists has become a recurring issue, causing serious grievances among medical aspirants. Syed Muhammad Yaseen, founder of Students Nexus by SMY—an online students’ network—highlighted the psychological and social stress faced by students due to the institution’s nonchalant approach toward timely list publication.
As the fate of these aspiring doctors hangs in the balance, stakeholders are urging the HEC to address this critical issue promptly. The timely release of merit lists is essential to ensure that students can plan their academic journeys without unnecessary disruptions.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Pakistan has faced criticism for the delayed release of merit lists, particularly affecting medical aspirants.
