AJK students seek MDCAT relief as board exams remain postponed and internet access stays limited

Medical college aspirants from Azad Jammu and Kashmir have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Health Minister

Islamabad: Medical college aspirants from Azad Jammu and Kashmir have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council President to take urgent notice of their academic difficulties, saying they are being pushed into an unfair position because their intermediate board examinations remain postponed and many students are unable to access the internet for online MDCAT registration.

The biggest concern for students is that they are expected to compete in MDCAT with candidates from other boards, while their own FSC examinations have not yet been completed. Students say they are facing uncertainty over their board exams, problems in online form submission, limited internet access, travel restrictions and difficulty in continuing regular MDCAT preparation.

According to a circular issued by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Mirpur, the Intermediate First Annual Examination 2026 has been postponed until further orders. Students say there is still no clear timeline for when the remaining papers will be held and completed.

The affected students say this delay has created serious mental pressure because MDCAT registration and preparation are continuing while their board examination schedule is still uncertain. They say students cannot fully focus on medical entrance test preparation when they do not even know when their FSC exams will resume.

Students have also pointed out that internet services in several areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have remained suspended or badly affected, making it difficult for them to access online study material, academic guidance, MDCAT lectures, registration portals and communication with teachers.

They said MDCAT registration is an online process, but many students in AJK do not have stable internet access to submit their forms properly. They said this is not a normal situation and authorities should create space for affected candidates.

According to the shared details, MDCAT registration is scheduled to start on 22 June 2026, with the regular last date fixed for 8 July 2026 and late registration allowed until 13 July 2026. The current MDCAT date is 16 August 2026.

The affected students have requested that the MDCAT schedule should be extended. They say this relief would give them time to complete their board examinations, recover lost preparation time and submit forms without panic.

Students said the issue is not only about AJK based candidates. A number of students from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan are also studying in institutions located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including inter colleges and cadet colleges. These students are also facing the same disruption because their academic activities are linked with AJK institutions.

The students said most other boards in Pakistan have already completed or are close to completing their theory examinations. They said Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan and Federal Board students are in a better position to focus on MDCAT preparation, while AJK students are still waiting for their board exams to resume.

They said this creates an unequal situation. One group of students has completed exams and can prepare for MDCAT without interruption, while AJK students are stuck between postponed board papers and online registration difficulties.

Students also highlighted that road closures, suspension of public transport and restrictions on movement have affected their ability to attend academies, reach study centres and continue normal preparation. They said many students cannot travel easily for classes or guidance.

The affected candidates said they are not asking for special favour but only a fair chance. They said PMDC and the health authorities should consider their ground situation before finalizing the MDCAT arrangements.

The students also appealed to the AJK Board, PMDC and federal health authorities to coordinate with each other and give students a clear timeline. They said uncertainty is damaging their confidence and preparation.

Parents and students say medical entrance exams are already stressful, and the current situation has made the pressure worse for AJK candidates. They said many students have spent years preparing for medical admission and should not suffer because of circumstances beyond their control.

PMDC was contacted for its official position on the concerns raised by AJK students, but no response had been received by the time this story was filed.

They said the future of thousands of students should not be affected due to delayed board examinations, internet disruption and registration difficulties. The students requested that authorities take a compassionate and practical decision before the MDCAT process moves further.