The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) is set to become fully digitalized in a move to enhance transparency, reduce human involvement, and ensure fair admissions in medical education, according to Federal Minister for National Health Services, Syed Mustafa Kamal. The announcement came as the Minister inaugurated the newly developed MDCAT Question Bank at the PM&DC headquarters, a significant step towards standardizing medical entrance examinations across the country.
During the inauguration ceremony, PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj and his team presented a detailed overview of preparations for the upcoming MDCAT examination. The presentation highlighted the Council’s commitment to transparency, security, and impartiality in conducting the exam. Officials clarified that PM&DC’s role is focused on registering candidates and supervising the process, while the responsibility for exam paper creation, administration, and evaluation rests entirely with designated public universities. This separation ensures that admissions are conducted on merit without interference or bias.
Minister Kamal reviewed the digital registration and monitoring systems in place, noting that more than 97,000 candidates have already registered, with projections suggesting total registrations will exceed 150,000. Over 30 exam venues have been prepared nationwide to make the process accessible to candidates from all regions. The Minister inspected the online portals and commended the deployment of advanced digital safeguards to maintain the integrity of the examination.
Appreciating the development of the new question bank, which is based on a consensus curriculum among provinces, Minister Kamal said the initiative will reduce errors and promote fairness. He encouraged PM&DC to consider increasing the number of questions available to admitting universities, allowing for greater flexibility while preparing the examination papers. He also stressed the importance of assigning clear responsibilities to provincial universities to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the process.
Minister Kamal reaffirmed the government’s full support for PM&DC’s ongoing modernization efforts. He emphasized that digitization across all PM&DC functions, including college inspections and administrative tasks, is key to eliminating favoritism, delays, and corruption. The new digital system aims to build a framework where transparency, merit, and efficiency are prioritized, ultimately strengthening public trust in the admissions process and raising standards in Pakistan’s health and education sectors.
PM&DC President Dr. Rizwan Taj reiterated the organization’s dedication to maintaining transparency and excellence. He noted that the standardized, syllabus-based question bank helps address historical disparities and provides equal opportunities to candidates nationwide. Both officials acknowledged that, despite various challenges, Pakistan’s education system continues to compare favorably with other countries, and ongoing reforms will further enhance its standing.
In closing, Minister Kamal recommended the preparation of detailed reports on current challenges and progress, so that PM&DC can continue to improve its services and ensure efficient delivery through technological innovation and institutional reform.
