PMA slams new MDCAT rules as unfair, regressive
IV Report KARACHI: The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has criticised the recent decisions announced by the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) regarding the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), calling them ill-conceived, flawed, and harmful to the future of the country’s healthcare workforce. According to a PMDC notification issued earlier this month, starting from the 2025–26 academic session, candidates seeking admission to MBBS and BDS programmes will only be permitted to sit for the MDCAT within their own province or region, based on domicile. In addition, applicants must now secure a minimum of 65% marks in FSc (Pre-Medical) or an equivalent qualification to be eligible. In a statement issued on June 25, PMA Secretary General Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro urged the PMDC to immediately withdraw the newly introduced criteria and initiate broader reforms in the medical admissions process. He warned that the new measures risk excluding deserving students and fu...