The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) to retake the medical and dental colleges admission test (MDCAT) within two weeks. This decision came from a division bench, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Raffat Imtiaz, after hearing an appeal against a single-member bench’s verdict.
The petitioners’ lawyer argued that the initial verdict found 31 out of 200 questions to be out of syllabus. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) initially identified 25 questions as out of syllabus, but later reduced this number to 18. Islamabad has 150 seats for these admissions, split between 50 for medical and 100 for dental colleges.
In response, the court emphasized that if the PMDC’s opinion is accepted, it must be followed entirely. The university’s registrar noted that passing marks were set at 50%, and excluding the out-of-syllabus questions would lower passing marks to 90. Justice Saman Raffat Imtiaz pointed out that the university should address students’ concerns rather than relying on the court.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq emphasized the court’s duty to ensure fairness for all. The PMDC lawyer noted that the initial test results weren’t nullified but allowed students another chance, with a retest at the previous fee. SZABMU’s lawyer mentioned that they planned to retake the exam on December 22, but the petitioners’ lawyer requested a one-week delay for international students.
After considering the arguments, the court ordered SZABMU to conduct the MDCAT retest within two weeks, with a written order to follow soon. This decision impacts many aspiring medical and dental students in Islamabad.
 has directed Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) to retake the medical and dental colleges admission test (MDCAT) within two weeks. This decision came from a division bench, including Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Saman Raffat Imtiaz, after hearing an appeal against a single-member bench's verdict.){kind=link}