JAC threatens protest at Dow University if probe is not initiated within two days
- Students demand intervention from Sindh CM
- DUHS states it is only accountable to PMDC, expresses satisfaction with test process
KARACHI: Allegations of a paper leak in the recent Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in Sindh continue to stir controversy. A joint action committee (JAC), formed to pressure the government for a thorough investigation, claimed on Tuesday to have proof that the exam paper was leaked three times on social media before the test. According to JAC, 184 out of the 200 questions in the leaked papers matched those in the official test.
Over 38,000 candidates appeared for MDCAT on September 22, organized by Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in five cities across Sindh. The Young Doctors Association (YDA) quickly alleged that the paper had been leaked before the test and called for an investigation.
On Tuesday, students held a protest outside DUHS, urging the Sindh chief minister to take action.
JAC’s warning
During a press conference, JAC, which includes representatives from the Pakistan Medical Association-Sindh, Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), YDA, and Faran Club, demanded a fair probe into the allegations. They warned that if the health department failed to launch an investigation within two days, protests would commence outside DUHS.
“We will not let this paper leak issue slide. We demand the authorities re-conduct the exam,” said Dr. Farrukh Rauf, YDA-Sindh head, adding that they had evidence the paper was leaked on social media within 24 hours of the exam.
Dr. Rauf highlighted that 184 out of 200 questions in the leaked version appeared in the final paper, and he expressed frustration that students would not be facing such issues if earlier complaints had been addressed. He also raised concerns about certain candidates from Tharparkar and Kashmore scoring over 95% or even 100% on the test.
He further alleged that a private exam session was held at a farmhouse in Hyderabad, where candidates paid between Rs1.5 million to Rs1.6 million to take the test.
JAC urged the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to consider handing over the MDCAT process in Sindh to institutions like Aga Khan University, the National University for Medical Sciences, or the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). Dr. Rauf also suggested that conducting the test online could bring greater transparency.
Dr. Umer Sultan, another YDA representative, warned that protests might extend to hospitals if the government failed to launch an inquiry into the paper leak.
Other committee members, including Dr. Peer Manzoor, Dr. Mohammad Siddique, and Advocate Mohammad Hanif Samma, expressed concern over the state of education in Sindh, alleging that academic degrees were being sold. They called for educational reforms and merit-based decisions.
Meanwhile, a group of students who took the MDCAT on Sunday protested outside DUHS, criticizing mismanagement and demanding an investigation into the paper leak. The protest was organized by the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) Karachi.
“We urge the chief minister to address our concerns. A thorough investigation into the recurring MDCAT issues is necessary, and action must be taken against those involved in the paper leak,” the students said.
DUHS response
A DUHS spokesperson, when contacted on Tuesday, reiterated that the university was satisfied with the entire process and only accountable to the PMDC, which had assigned them the responsibility of conducting the exam.
The university had previously dismissed the paper leak allegations as “false and baseless,” calling it an attempt to tarnish the institution’s reputation.
