PM&DC’s E-Kacheri Sparks Nationwide Debate on Medical Admissions and Testing
Islamabad: A live session hosted by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) on May 15, drew massive online engagement, with over 10.9k comments flooding the official Facebook page.
The E-Kacheri invited public input on key issues like admissions, licensing, examination policies, and quotas in medical education, setting off one of the most active policy discussions in recent memory.
A particularly impactful flashpoint emerged when Raafay Shabbir proposed lowering the MBBS admission pass percentage from 65% to 50%. Arguing that the current benchmark limits opportunities for underprivileged students, Shabbir’s comment sparked immediate and intense debate. Supporters hailed the idea as a way to democratize access to medical education, while critics cautioned that such a move might compromise the quality of medical training.
One concerned user asked, “Will students entering with 50% marks be able to handle the rigor of MBBS?” Although PM&DC has not formally responded, the comment remains a focal point of the ongoing discussion.
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Another major subject of debate was the council’s announcement to decentralize the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). Under the new policy, medical universities would be allowed to conduct their own entrance exams instead of relying on a single national test. This move divided opinion sharply.
Roughly 40% of commenters raised concerns about inconsistency, with many questioning how standards would be maintained across institutions. References to past exam leaks and calls for strict oversight were frequent.
In contrast, 20% of participants welcomed the decentralization as a step toward reducing the high-pressure environment of a one-shot national test.
Dr. Faisal Ahmed, a medical educator from Karachi, remarked, “Universities know their programs best; let them design their own tests.” Proponents pointed to regional exam models, like IBA Sukkur’s system, as potential templates.
The expansion of quotas for students from Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in Punjab’s public sector medical colleges was another hot-button issue, making up about 15% of the comment traffic. While many ICT residents saw this as long overdue, others, particularly from Punjab, viewed it as unfair.
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Hamza Sheikh from Faisalabad voiced his concern: “Why prioritize ICT over Punjab students when our colleges are already packed?” Meanwhile, parents like Sarah Malik requested clarity on seat allocations and specific institutions.
Criticism of PM&DC’s communication strategy also featured prominently. About 15% of commenters questioned the council’s approach of announcing major reforms via social media. Ali Raza wrote, “Why announce such a big change on Facebook without consulting students first?” Many demanded structured public forums or nationwide surveys for genuine stakeholder involvement.
The remaining 10% of comments reflected confusion and sought logistical clarity. Questions included when the new policies would take effect, whether foreign graduates would be affected, and if the National Registration Examination (NRE) would be revised.