Syed Muhammad Yaseen
Islamabad: The fate of this year’s Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) is expected to be decided soon, officials confirmed on Monday.
The matter came under discussion during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health, chaired by Senator Aamir Waliduddin. PTI Senator Mirza Afridi urged authorities to postpone the exam, arguing that widespread floods have created an emergency situation across the country, leaving students from affected regions unable to prepare properly.
He stressed that Punjab has witnessed the worst devastation, while the floods are now hitting Sindh as well — areas from where a large number of MDCAT candidates appear each year. Afridi proposed that the test be deferred until November.
Briefing the committee, the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) said the decision would be made in consultation with provincial medical universities, which are responsible for conducting the exam.
PMDC officials clarified that while the universities conduct the test, the council’s role is limited to preparing and providing the examination paper.
Senator Mustafa Kamal assured that any decision regarding MDCAT would prioritize the interests of students.
