The Senate sub-committee on National Health Services met at Parliament House under the convenorship of Senator Anusha Rehman to examine MDCAT preparedness for 2026 and to call for a thorough review of the current MDCAT policy. Members raised concerns about the 50% weightage given to the MDCAT test compared with formal exam results and questioned whether the existing framework treats all candidates fairly, particularly A-Level students whose curricula differ from the intermediate-focused MDCAT syllabus.
Attendees included Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri, while Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani participated via Zoom. The committee took up a recent PM&DC advertisement making MDCAT mandatory for students seeking MBBS admissions abroad and asked officials to justify the legal basis for imposing the test on prospective overseas applicants. Members described the directive as appearing arbitrary without clear statutory backing and directed PM&DC and the Secretary of the Ministry of National Health Services to submit all relevant documents and legal provisions supporting the move.
Committee members also highlighted that 743 medical and dental seats remain vacant nationwide and questioned whether current MDCAT policy has contributed to these vacancies. PM&DC representatives said the measure aimed to discourage enrolment in substandard foreign institutions, but senators asked why the regulator does not instead publish a clear list of institutions that fail to meet recognized standards so students and parents can make informed choices rather than face blanket restrictions.
The sub-committee expressed particular concern about dental vacancies and noted reports of international non-recognition of some Pakistan dentistry qualifications. Members urged greater standardization and alignment with global practices to protect graduates’ mobility and to reduce avoidable gaps in seat uptake. The committee also observed a significant disparity in the cost of medical education domestically compared with countries such as China where fees can be much lower.
Officials briefed senators on the collection, utilization and auditing mechanisms related to MDCAT examination fees, and the committee pressed for full transparency on fee structures and accountability for funds. The body recommended that PM&DC publish clearer guidance for students and parents instead of imposing broad restrictions that may create unnecessary obstacles for aspiring medical professionals.
Concluding the session, the sub-committee disagreed with several elements of the current MDCAT policy and recommended a comprehensive review and revision process involving all stakeholders. The convenor directed that a public hearing be convened to hear directly from affected students, medical practitioners and vice chancellors of medical universities to inform policy and legislative reforms aimed at resolving long‑standing issues in the medical admissions system.
