PDA Backs Students, Challenges PMC’s 60% Requirement

The official copy of the document available with Dental Tribune Pakistan read that Dr Mahmood Shah, President PDA, was aware of the case. It read that the Sindh Court should grant interim relief to students.

The document read, “No tangible and reasonable explanation has been given by Pakistan Medical Commission for this abrupt rise of MDCAT qualifying exam percentage.”

The document further stated that the abrupt increase in merit leads to an admission crisis. “This decision of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has created an acute admission crisis whereby approxiamately 650 BDS seats are lying vacant.”

Earlier, The Sindh High Court issued notices on 15 March to the Pakistan Medical Commission over a set of pleas challenging the 60 per cent marks condition for eligibility in written bachelors of dental surgery (BDS) admission test.

The petitioners contend that the PMC initiated its admission process but restricted students with below 60 per cent marks in their intermediate exams from sitting for the entrance test.

The petition mentions that there are 690 BDS seats in the province, and 515 of them are vacant.

During the hearing, the petitioners’ counsel, Haider Waheed, argued that the minimum 60 per cent mark requirement was unjust with students.

He moved the court to issue a stay on the restriction. Upon inquiry, the court was informed that the petition had been filed by students, medical colleges, and a non-governmental organisation.

PMC representatives, however, stated that they had not received any notices yet. The court sought the entire BDS admission records and a reply from the PMC by the next hearing slated for March 22.