Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan has demanded a retest for the top 100 candidates of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 by an independent body, citing allegations of irregularities, mismanagement and concerns over transparency.
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In a letter to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Dr Rizwan Taj on Friday, Monem Zafar expressed serious reservations about the examination arrangements and called for an independent review of complaints submitted by students.
He urged the council to investigate the allegations impartially and take measures to restore confidence in the medical and dental college admission process.
JI Questions MDCAT Examination Arrangements in Karachi
The JI Karachi chief criticised the decision to accommodate approximately 9,500 candidates at only two examination centres in Karachi, both located on University Road.
He contrasted the arrangements with those in other major cities, stating that 19 examination centres had been established in Peshawar and six in Lahore.
According to Monem Zafar, the limited number of centres in Karachi forced many candidates to travel long distances, creating difficulties for students and their families.
He also criticised the examination-day arrangements, claiming that candidates who had been asked to arrive in the morning were made to wait for several hours in hot weather.
Keeping students seated for up to eight hours was inappropriate and distressing, he said, calling for better planning and consideration of candidates’ welfare.
Concerns Over Answer Keys and Examination Process
Monem Zafar also questioned the decision to assign responsibility for conducting MDCAT 2026 to IBA Sukkur. He said instructions requiring examination papers to be taken back had raised further concerns about the transparency of the process.
He highlighted objections to the answer keys for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, including specific complaints relating to paper codes A and D.
The JI leader called for an independent assessment of these complaints and urged the PMDC to examine concerns about possible alterations to the results. These claims have not been established as proven irregularities.
He maintained that students’ complaints should be addressed through a transparent process so that candidates can have confidence in the examination results.
JI Seeks Audit of MDCAT Funds
The JI Karachi chief also called on the PMDC to provide a transparent account of the funds collected in connection with the examination.
He claimed that more than Rs1.26 billion had been received for MDCAT and urged the council to disclose how the funds had been collected and utilised.
Monem Zafar said an independent investigation was necessary to address the concerns raised by students and their families.
Demand for Independent Investigation
The JI Karachi chief reiterated his demand for a retest of the top 100 candidates by an independent body, alongside a comprehensive investigation into the complaints surrounding MDCAT 2026.
He urged the PMDC to review the examination arrangements, investigate objections to the answer keys, clarify the handling of examination papers and provide an account of the funds collected.
The allegations and demands reflect the JI leader’s position. The concerns raised in his letter require independent examination, and the allegations should not be treated as established findings unless verified by the relevant authorities.
