{
  "id": 8171581,
  "title": "Collecting question papers after test: Request for reconsidering MDCAT directive turned down",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/collecting-question-papers-after-test-request-for-reconsidering-mdcat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T04:03:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2030696/collecting-question-papers-after-test-request-for-reconsidering-mdcat-directive-turned-down"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has rejected appeals from senior officials of medical universities in Punjab and Sindh for reconsidering the PMDC's directive to collect Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) question papers immediately after the examination. This decision was made during a virtual meeting on Thursday, further fueling discontent among candidates ahead of the September 20 MDCAT. An insider reveals that the situation took a new direction when senior health department officials raised concerns about the legal foundation of PMDC's directive, emphasizing that the council cannot unilaterally decide on the policies and standards for provincial MDCAT. These officials highlighted Section 17(1) of the PMDC Act 2022, which stipulates that each province must conduct a single MDCAT \"as per the policy and standards approved by the provincial governments,\" with the test dates approved by the council. This provision raises the question of whether PMDC can unilaterally change an established examination procedure without the approval of the respective provincial governments. The issue was discussed again in Thursday's online meeting of all admitting universities convened by the PMDC to review preparations for the September 20 MDCAT. Despite the concerns raised by Punjab and Sindh, the council decided not to withdraw or alter its decision. Consequently, the controversy has expanded beyond the examination practice to encompass the roles and responsibilities of the federal regulator, provincial governments, and admitting universities. According to the officials, Section 17(1) of the PMDC Act specifically assigns the policy and standards for the provincial MDCAT to the respective provincial governments, while the PMDC's role under this provision is to approve the test dates. A recent judicial interpretation of this provision also emphasizes this distinction between the provincial responsibility for conducting the test and the council's statutory role. The senior officials argue that if the practice of collecting question papers should change, it is the responsibility of the competent provincial authority to make a decision in accordance with the law and the admission policy. They assert that such a change cannot be implemented through an administrative directive to the universities. The meeting's outcome indicates that the PMDC intends to enforce the new paper-collection arrangement for the September 20 MDCAT, despite the objections raised by Punjab and Sindh. This decision has sparked outrage among MDCAT candidates, particularly the younger generation, who argue that the PMDC has denied them their basic right to keep a record of the examination they have undertaken.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PMDC) has reportedly turned down the requests of senior representatives of medical universities from two provinces – Punjab and Sindh – for reconsidering the council’s decision to collect the Medical & Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) question papers from candidates immediately after the examination. The PMDC refused the requests of the…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}