ISLAMABAD: Medical students have issued a warning of a countrywide protest if their demands regarding the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) are not met within 10 days. Their primary demand is to reduce the passing marks from the current 65% back to 50%.
On Wednesday, students staged a protest outside the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) headquarters in Islamabad, voicing concerns over recent policy changes. The protesters presented three key demands: reversing the MDCAT passing marks increase, lowering the attendance requirement from 85% back to 78%, and including student representatives in decision-making committees related to student affairs.
The student leader stated that despite discussions with PMDC officials, no agreement was reached. He also alleged police baton charges during the protest and confiscation of some student belongings, some of which remain in custody.
The PMDC responded by clarifying that the MDCAT exam would not be delayed any further. The council said a small group of students had repeatedly tried to postpone the exam, including filing a petition that was dismissed by the High Court. All necessary preparations, including booking examination halls and printing question papers, are complete.
The PMDC emphasized that the registration portal was opened twice to accommodate students affected by floods and that more than 140,000 students have already registered. The council stressed that further delay is not possible and the exam will proceed as scheduled.
The student group has given a 10-day deadline for their demands to be addressed; otherwise, they plan to escalate protests nationwide.
