PMDC’s MDCAT policies questioned for creating unnecessary student burdens

Islamabad: The Senate Sub Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination expressed serious concerns over the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PM&DC) directive making MDCAT compulsory for students seeking medical education abroad. Convenor Senator Anusha Rehman and members highlighted the absence of legal backing, the potential undue burden on students, and the lack of guidance regarding substandard foreign medical institutions. The Committee also flagged challenges for A Level students, disparities in domestic versus foreign medical education costs, and unfilled seats across 743 medical and dental college openings.

The Sub Committee, chaired by Senator Anusha Rehman, convened at Parliament House, Islamabad, on June 5th, 2026, to review preparations for the upcoming MDCAT 2026, assess the existing policy framework, and discuss transparency in MDCAT fee structures. Senators Samina Mumtaz Zehri attended in person, while Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani participated via Zoom.

A major focus was the recent advertisement issued by PM&DC mandating that students seeking MBBS admissions abroad must pass MDCAT. Committee members questioned the legal basis of the directive, noting that the policy appeared arbitrary and lacked explicit statutory authority. Senator Rehman raised concerns about how PM&DC determines which foreign medical colleges meet recognized standards and whether students were being unfairly restricted. She emphasized that returning medical graduates from overseas colleges become a burden for PM&DC if proper regulatory guidance is not provided.

The Committee noted that while PM&DC officials argued the measure aims to prevent admissions in substandard foreign institutions, 743 seats remain vacant in Pakistan’s medical and dental colleges. Members questioned how making MDCAT mandatory for foreign bound students would address this issue. The Sub Committee urged PM&DC to publish a list of non recognized or substandard foreign medical colleges to guide students and parents effectively.

Senators also discussed the syllabus and weightage of MDCAT, highlighting that 50 percent of the admissions score relies on MDCAT, which schools do not teach, while the remaining 50 percent is based on formal exam results. A Level students, in particular, face difficulties as the MDCAT syllabus heavily aligns with the intermediate curriculum, creating disparities and unnecessary challenges.

The Sub Committee criticized certain PM&DC policies as creating undue hurdles and frustration among students aspiring to medical careers. Committee members noted that the cost of medical education in Pakistan remains significantly higher than in countries like China, where comparable medical programs are available at approximately one third of the domestic cost.

Officials informed the Committee that the majority of vacant seats were in dental colleges, and international recognition of Pakistan’s dental qualifications remains limited in certain countries, underscoring the need for standardization and alignment with global educational norms. The Sub Committee was also briefed on the collection, utilization, and auditing mechanisms of MDCAT examination fees, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.

Concluding the session, the Sub Committee strongly disagreed with several aspects of PM&DC’s current policy framework. It recommended a comprehensive review and revision process, involving all stakeholders, including affected students, medical practitioners, and vice chancellors of medical universities. Senator Anusha Rehman directed that a public hearing be convened to gather inputs on policy and legislative reforms to address long-standing concerns in the medical admissions system and ensure fairness, transparency, and uniformity nationwide.