KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday upheld the results of the pre-entry test for admission to government-run medical colleges and universities in the province conducted in October by the National Testing Service (NTS) but later annulled by the provincial government following allegations of irregularities in the process. The government had decided to re-conduct the tests.

Headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, a two-judge bench gave its judgement on a set of petitions against and for the provincial government’s Nov 11 decision and directed the respondent authorities to retain the previous results.

The bench also set aside the operation of the health department’s notification for constitution of an inquiry committee to probe into the alleged paper leak.

Around 22,000 candidates had appeared in the test and 144 of them filed petitions in the SHC seeking to uphold the results. Nine candidates approached the court with plea to order the authorities concerned to hold the test afresh.

The counsel representing the 144 successful candidates submitted that the test was properly conducted, and challenged moves of setting up of the inquiry committee and other orders issued by the provincial government for annulling the test.

The NTS authorities in their reply submitted in court refuted the allegation of paper leak. They stated that the NTS possessed vast experience and enjoyed good reputation countrywide in conducting such tests. They insisted that the October test was also held in a proper manner and should, therefore, be upheld.

The court was informed that the NTS had even conducted such tests for high courts, including that of Sindh, and ensured secrecy and transparency in the process.

“After the admission test held on October 22, and responding to certain concerns expressed in relation, the NTS on its own initiative set up an internal inquiry committee for carrying out a thorough investigation but nothing was found illegitimate,” the NTS added.

Defending the actions taken by the health department and the decision taken by the chief minister, the Sindh advocate general submitted in court that the provincial government had full legal and constitutional powers and authority in this regard.

Quashing the notification regarding cancellation of the test results, the court directed the authorities concerned to proceed with the procedure of admission to the public-sector medical universities and colleges in the MBBS and BDS programmes on the basis of the NTS test held on Oct 22.

The bench in its order restrained the respondents, all authorities concerned and institutions from acting in any manner contrary to the above ruling.

The court, however, suspended its own order for 10 days to enable any aggrieved person or party to avail the remedy of appeal before the apex court.

The constitutional petition against the government’s decision to conduct a fresh entry test was filed by the Pasban president, Altaf Shakoor, and a candidate for admission to a medical college.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2017