Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan has demanded a retest for the top 100 candidates who appeared in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026, citing alleged irregularities, poor examination arrangements and concerns about transparency.
In a letter to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Dr Rizwan Taj, the JI leader called for an independent investigation into complaints raised by students and a review of the examination process. The allegations have not yet been established as facts.
JI Raises Concerns Over MDCAT Examination Centres
Monem Zafar criticised the arrangements for Karachi candidates, saying approximately 9,500 students were accommodated at only two examination centres, both located on University Road.
He compared Karachi’s arrangements with those in other cities, where 19 centres were reportedly established in Peshawar and six in Lahore. According to him, the limited number of centres forced many students to travel long distances, creating difficulties for candidates and their families.
Questions Raised Over Question Papers and Answer Keys
The JI leader also questioned the decision to assign responsibility for examining Sindh to IBA Sukkur. He said instructions to collect question papers back from candidates after the test had raised concerns about transparency.
He further called for a review of answer keys for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, particularly those associated with paper codes A and D. The party urged the PMDC to examine the complaints independently and address concerns about possible alterations to examination results.
JI Calls for Audit of Rs1.26 Billion in MDCAT Fees
Another major concern involves the money collected for conducting MDCAT 2026. According to the letter, the PMDC collected approximately Rs1.263 billion in examination fees.
Monem Zafar demanded a detailed audit and publication of a transparent account explaining how the funds were collected and spent. He also called for candidates to receive access to their question papers to help them assess their performance.
Students Face Long Waiting Hours in Hot Weather
The letter also highlighted complaints about delays and inadequate facilities at examination centres. Candidates had reportedly been instructed to arrive early in the morning, while examinations at some centres began at 10am or 10:30am.
According to the JI leader, some students remained at examination venues for seven to eight hours in temperatures reportedly reaching 40–43°C. He called for better arrangements and more suitable facilities for candidates taking future examinations.
Read more similar news in our education category.
Health Minister Directs PMDC to Investigate Complaints
The controversy has also drawn attention from the federal health ministry. Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has directed the PMDC to investigate complaints concerning the transparency and fairness of MDCAT in Sindh.
The council faces growing calls to review the examination arrangements, answer keys and results, while an independent inquiry could help establish whether the reported irregularities occurred.
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