The National Assembly standing committee on health has called for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) to be postponed, citing widespread flooding that has displaced many students in Punjab and Sindh and hindered their ability to prepare or complete exam formalities. The health minister says the exam date has already been moved later in the month after consultations with provincial universities and that further postponement is not being considered unless the situation deteriorates.
Committee chairman Dr. Mahesh Kumar told the minister that floods have left hundreds of thousands homeless and questioned how affected students could prepare for or travel to take the MDCAT. He urged the minister to postpone the test on humanitarian grounds. Most members of the committee backed his appeal and said they had received complaints from students about the difficulties they face.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the MDCAT date had already been shifted from its earlier schedule to later in the month after consultations with provincial universities, which are responsible for administering the exam. He warned that another delay would impose financial losses on students and said provincial institutions had indicated they were prepared to hold the test despite the floods.
The committee chairman countered that many flood-affected students cannot pay exam or travel fees because numerous banks in the hardest-hit areas remain closed. He emphasized that logistical and financial obstacles are preventing students from completing the necessary registration and payment steps.
Professor Rizwan Taj, president of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council, said stakeholders were consulted and that the parties involved did not report problems with holding the MDCAT. He added that he met the health minister after consultations with provinces and other stakeholders.
The health minister made clear he will not grant a further extension at present, but said the government would consider postponing the exam if continued heavy rainfall and worsening conditions make it impossible for affected students to participate.
