A Senate Sub-Committee on Health has raised concerns over the requirement for students studying in medical colleges abroad to appear in the MDCAT examination.
The issue was discussed during a meeting of the Senate Sub-Committee on Health held in Islamabad. The session was chaired by Convener Anusha Rehman and attended by officials from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).
During the meeting, PMDC officials briefed lawmakers on the MDCAT examination process and related policies for 2026.
Anusha Rehman questioned the legal basis for requiring students enrolled in foreign medical colleges to return to Pakistan and take the examination. She asked PMDC officials to explain under which law such students were required to appear in the test.
The committee convener noted that many students who study abroad complete their medical education and return as qualified doctors. She expressed concern over the rationale behind asking them to undergo additional examination requirements.
During the discussion, Rehman also questioned the authority under which PMDC conducts such examinations for students educated outside Pakistan. She sought clarification on the legal framework supporting these policies.
In response, PMDC officials stated that students graduating from foreign medical institutions often become a challenge for the regulatory body. They said the council has a responsibility to ensure professional standards and maintain the quality of medical education.
However, the committee convener disagreed with the explanation. She remarked that if some foreign medical colleges provide substandard education, it should not automatically become PMDC’s responsibility. She stressed the need for clear legal justification before imposing examination requirements.
Rehman further criticized what she described as PMDC’s tendency to make decisions and implement them without adequate consultation. She urged the council to ensure transparency and legal clarity in its policies.
The discussion highlighted ongoing concerns regarding the regulation of foreign medical graduates and the role of MDCAT in evaluating students who receive their education outside Pakistan.
The meeting concluded with lawmakers seeking further explanations from PMDC regarding the legal and regulatory framework governing such examinations. The issue is expected to remain under discussion as authorities review policies affecting foreign-educated medical students.
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The debate reflects broader concerns about maintaining medical education standards while ensuring that regulations are applied fairly and within the limits of the law.
