Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has ordered an inquiry into complaints of alleged irregularities in the MDCAT 2026 held in Sindh, directing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to conduct a detailed review of the examination and its results. The Ministry of National Health Services has written to the PMDC president, asking for a centre-wise analysis of the result data and a detailed report within 15 days. The full verified story is also available on the main Watan News site.
Key Facts
- Who ordered the probe: Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Ministry of National Health Services, on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
- Who will investigate: the president of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), directed to conduct a detailed review.
- Deadline: a detailed report must be submitted within 15 days.
- Scope of review: centre-wise analysis of candidate numbers, marks, pass rates and unusually high scores; attendance sheets, seating plans, examination-centre records and result data; invigilation arrangements and available digital records.
- Allegations to examine: impersonation (someone appearing in place of a registered candidate), paper leakage, violations of examination procedures, technical glitches and administrative negligence.
- The test: conducted by Sukkur IBA University through SIBA Testing Services across nine centres in Sindh and Islamabad, two of them in Karachi; 33,336 candidates appeared.
- Trigger: none of the top 20 candidates was from Karachi Division (the first appeared at number 21), while five candidates from Tharparkar made the top 20.
Why the MDCAT 2026 Results Came Under Scrutiny
The Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 in Sindh was conducted by Sukkur IBA University through its SIBA Testing Services at nine centres across Sindh and Islamabad, including two in Karachi. According to the university, 33,336 candidates appeared in the test, of whom 22,538 female candidates were declared successful, and more than 16,500 reportedly qualified for MBBS. The highest score — 179 out of 180 — was achieved by a candidate from Shikarpur.
Questions were raised over the pattern of the results: not a single candidate from Karachi Division appeared in the top 20, with the first Karachi candidate placed at number 21, while five candidates from Tharparkar made it into the top 20. The unusual distribution prompted complaints from students and parents and turned into a political flashpoint, with parties including the MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami demanding a transparent investigation. More stories from Pakistan are available in the Watan News Pakistan section.
Examination centres across Sindh are under scrutiny as the federal health ministry orders a detailed review of the MDCAT 2026 results.
What the Ministry Has Ordered
In its letter to the PMDC president, the Ministry of National Health Services directed the council to carry out a thorough investigation into the MDCAT results. Investigators must conduct a centre-wise analysis of the number of candidates, their marks, pass rates and unusually high scores, and examine whether there were significant or unusual differences in results between examination centres.
The inquiry will cover attendance sheets, seating plans, examination-centre records and result data, while invigilation arrangements and available digital records will also be reviewed. Authorities have specifically been asked to investigate allegations of impersonation — that someone other than the registered candidate may have appeared in the test — as well as claims of paper leakage and other examination irregularities. Any violations of examination procedures, technical glitches or administrative negligence that may have affected the conduct of the test or the preparation of its results also fall within the scope of the probe.
The PMDC has been directed to obtain relevant reports and records concerning the conduct of the MDCAT and the compilation of its results, and to complete the investigation and submit a detailed report within 15 days.
MDCAT 2026 in Sindh — the Key Numbers
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Candidates who appeared | 33,336 |
| Female candidates declared successful | 22,538 |
| Candidates qualified for MBBS | More than 16,500 |
| Highest score | 179 / 180 (Shikarpur) |
| Karachi candidates in the top 20 | 0 (first at number 21) |
| Tharparkar candidates in the top 20 | 5 |
| Examination centres | 9 across Sindh and Islamabad (2 in Karachi) |
Political Backing for a Transparent Review
The inquiry order follows growing political pressure. Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Monem Zafar expressed grave reservations over the results and the examination procedure, noting that no candidate from Karachi appeared in the top 20 while 18 Karachi candidates were in the top 100. He demanded the formation of an empowered and independent inquiry committee to conduct a transparent, forensic review of the entire MDCAT process — arrangements, results and the merit list — and asked both the federal health minister and Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho what steps the federal and provincial governments had taken. He also announced that Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi would set up a Public Aid Committee desk to guide affected students and help resolve their issues.
Conclusion
The health minister’s swift action in ordering a probe into the Sindh MDCAT irregularities signals a commitment to maintaining the integrity of Pakistan’s medical education system. By directing the PMDC to examine the result data centre by centre — from attendance records to digital trails — and setting a firm 15-day deadline, the ministry aims to address the concerns of thousands of candidates and restore public trust in the admission process. The findings of the inquiry are expected to guide necessary reforms and determine any further action against those responsible for confirmed violations.
