MDCAT 2026 results declared valid, admissions to proceed: NA body

ISLAMABAD, Nov 11 (APP): The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services on Wednesday declared MDCAT 2026 results valid and directed universities to proceed with admissions without delay, recommending reduction of the results’ validity period from three years to one year from the next academic year.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the committee, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, MNA, at Parliament House, where the overall conduct and results of MDCAT 2026 were reviewed in the presence of vice chancellors of the universities that conducted the examination.
The vice chancellors informed the committee that no major irregularity or serious issue affecting the overall credibility of the examination had been reported. They said that complaints primarily concerned question papers and answer keys, which had been examined and resolved by the respective universities.
The committee was also informed that a six-member team of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), which visited the Sukkur IBA examination centre, had not reported any serious irregularity.
After reviewing the explanations provided by the universities and the PM&DC team, the committee decided that the MDCAT 2026 results should stand valid, observing that students should not face further uncertainty in the absence of any substantiated major irregularity.
The committee also directed the Ministry of National Health Services to reduce the validity period of MDCAT results from three years to one year, effective from the next academic year, to help address the issue of vacant seats in medical and dental colleges. The minister agreed to the direction.
The committee further stressed that question papers should be made available to students after future examinations to ensure transparency and facilitate the resolution of genuine complaints.
Taking notice of reports of excessive fee collection by private medical colleges, the committee directed PM&DC to strengthen its regulatory oversight and take strict action against institutions charging fees beyond the approved limits.
The committee was informed that the prescribed minimum fee stood at Rs1.8 million, while 35 institutions had been allowed enhanced fees on the basis of audit reports, with the maximum reaching Rs2.1 million for some institutions following approval by the council.
It sought a complete list of institutions granted fee enhancement, relevant audit reports and copies of court orders concerning the matter. PM&DC was also directed to provide an updated list of colleges charging fees beyond the prescribed limits and impose maximum penalties on violators.
The committee expressed concern over reports that students were being harassed and, in some cases, prevented from attending classes for failing to pay additional charges. It directed PM&DC to ensure that no institution increased fees without prior approval.
Reviewing the nursery fire incident at PIMS Mother and Child Hospital on August 26, 2026, the committee was informed that two committees had been constituted to investigate the incident and propose institutional reforms.
The Ministry informed the committee that reports had been submitted to the Prime Minister and work on all 34 recommendations was underway, with progress being reviewed fortnightly at the Prime Minister’s level.
Regarding the expansion of Polyclinic Hospital, the committee sought an update on the ongoing 400-bed hospital project and stressed that it should be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
The committee also decided to invite the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to its next meeting to discuss concerns raised by the Pakistan Medical Association regarding doctors engaged in private practice.
Discussing the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA), the committee called for expediting the constitution and operationalization of its board. It was informed that the matter was pending before the Prime Minister.
The committee also sought details of enforcement actions taken by IHRA, which informed it that approximately 400 hospitals had been sealed during 2026.
Furthermore, the committee directed the Ministry to present the draft Pharmacy Council Bill within one month for consideration at its next meeting.
The committee appreciated the Minister for National Health Services for his continued engagement and emphasised the importance of administrative continuity for effective implementation of parliamentary recommendations.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Zahra Wadood Fatemi, Farah Naz Akbar, Dr Shazia Sobia Aslam Soomro, Aliya Kamran, Nikhat Shakeel Khan, Dr Darshan and Sabheen Ghoury, besides the Minister for National Health Services and s
enior officials of the ministry and its attached departments.