By Dr. Abdul Samad Noor Saharanpuri
The Sindh High Court’s recent decision to halt the release of results for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) is more than just a procedural pause; it is a wake-up call for Pakistan’s beleaguered medical education system. The judiciary’s intervention, spurred by widespread allegations of irregularities, has sparked a much-needed reckoning for a test that determines the professional futures of thousands of aspiring doctors. At stake is not only the fate of individual students but the integrity of the nation’s healthcare system itself. The examination, marred by reports of suspiciously high scores and statistical anomalies, has drawn intense scrutiny. Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, overseeing the case, pointed to the staggering number of students scoring over 195 marks as an indication of potential foul play. When trust in such a pivotal test is compromised, the ripple effects go far beyond academic rankings—it calls into question the competence of future doctors and, by extension, the safety of patients who will one day rely on their care.
The chief secretary Sindh and the vice-chancellors of several universities have been summoned to explain these discrepancies as the court has rightly demanded a province-wide comparison of results, underscoring the need for uniformity across Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This step is crucial not only to identify any regional biases but also to determine whether this scandal is confined to one region or reflects a systemic failure in the country’s medical examination infrastructure. The figures presented by the petitioner’s counsel—particularly the 1,100 students who scored an identical 187 marks—are troubling. While the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has ruled out the possibility of paper leaks, the overwhelming number of complaints and statistical oddities demand a thorough, transparent investigation. The Sindh High Court’s decision to establish a three-member committee to investigate the matter is promising, but only if it leads to concrete action. Public faith in the country’s medical institutions is fragile, and this scandal risks shattering it entirely.
Adding to the chorus of concern is MQM-P leader Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan, who has claimed that students allegedly paid significant sums (According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, amount ranging Rs800,000 to Rs1,500,000) to Dow University—an alarming accusation that, if proven true, suggests deep-rooted corruption. Hassan’s claim that some students scored as high as 199 marks further intensifies suspicions of a paper leak, a possibility that would have catastrophic implications for the credibility of Pakistan’s medical profession. If the tests meant to select future doctors are compromised, the ramifications will be far-reaching, eroding public trust in the very professionals tasked with saving lives. This is not just a test for Dow University or the PMDC; it is a test of Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring that its medical professionals are selected on merit, not through manipulation or corruption. Medical exams like MDCAT are the gateway to the profession, and any breach in their integrity compromises the quality of care patients will receive.
An underqualified doctor, certified through a flawed system, is not just a problem for the medical community—it is a threat to public health. The Court’s involvement is a critical first step, but it must be accompanied by swift and decisive reforms. The students who sit for these exams deserve answers and a fair chance at their future careers. Equally, the patients who will one day rely on these doctors deserve to know that their care will be in competent hands. The stakes could not be higher. Despite Justice Panhwar’s frustration with media coverage of the issue, it is the media that has played a pivotal role in bringing these allegations to light. Their scrutiny has exposed what might otherwise have remained buried under bureaucratic inertia. Now is not the time for institutions to deflect or downplay these concerns with accusations of media misrepresentation. Rather, it is time for the authorities to face the issue head-on, with transparency and accountability at the forefront. The next two weeks will be critical as the Sindh High Court awaits answers. But answers alone will not suffice. Action must follow, and it must be firm. If the investigation confirms malpractice, Dow University, the PMDC, and any other implicated institutions must be held accountable. The future of Pakistan’s healthcare system depends on it. Aspiring doctors and the patients they will serve cannot afford a compromised selection process. Pakistan deserves nothing less than a system rooted in fairness, integrity, and a commitment to excellence.
(The writer is a renowned scholar, researcher, and literary figure in Pakistan, with significant contributions to Islamic Studies and Arabic Literature and can be reached at news@metro-morning.com)
