IHC issues notice to PMDC over MDCAT policy change
Pakistan
During the hearing, the court instructed the petitioner’s lawyer, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, representing medical students, to submit written arguments.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - The Islamabad High Court has issued a notice to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) over a petition challenging the sudden changes in the MDCAT (Medical and Dental College Admission Test) registration policy.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed against the abrupt changes in the MDCAT examination and admission registration procedures. During the hearing, the court instructed the petitioner’s lawyer, Raja Rizwan Abbasi, representing medical students, to submit written arguments.
The court observed that the matter primarily falls under provincial jurisdiction, as most educational powers have been devolved to the provinces following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Justice Tahir remarked that each province can formulate its own policy, and the positions of Sindh or other provinces may differ. He also noted that individual colleges face their own registration issues, which cannot be ignored.
Raja Rizwan Abbasi argued that the new policy has created difficulties for students who passed the exam last year because the registration procedures and authorities were suddenly changed. He claimed that transferring authority from PMDC to colleges was against regulations and that PMDC should retain the power to decide on examinations and registrations.
Read also: MDCAT made mandatory for admission to medical colleges
The court asked the lawyer to clarify which rules or regulations had been violated, stating that if the matter is clear under the law, the court would not hesitate to issue appropriate orders. Abbasi cited Section 47, urging the court to direct PMDC to implement a uniform policy across all provinces to prevent student difficulties.
After a brief recess, the hearing resumed, and the court issued notices to PMDC officials, summoning them on Friday. However, the court rejected the petitioner’s request for an immediate stay order. Abbasi had argued that the registration deadline was the same day, but Justice Tahir responded that the notices had been issued and PMDC’s response would be considered on Friday.
