KARACHI / ISLAMABAD: The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) will hold its exam today (May 26) as per schedule despite official restrictions imposed on public movement in the backdrop of political uncertainty in the country.

Sources said several medical graduates might not be able to attend viva exam of the Membership of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (MCPS) scheduled for 26th and 28th of the current month due to road blockades and official restrictions imposed on public movement, particularly in Punjab.

Speaking to Dawn, students, wishing not to mention their names, said they had already attended the written exam and their viva exam was scheduled for May 26 and 28 in Lahore and Karachi.

Reaching Lahore, they said, had almost become impossible due to non-availability of public transport and blockade of roads.

Pakistan Medical Association secretary general Dr Qaiser Sajjad said the CPSP should realise students’ problems and postpone the exam.

“Even if there is only one student who fails to reach a centre either due to road blockade or non-availability of transport, the institution should hold his or her exam at a later date,” he said, adding that students should not be forced to bear consequences of a situation for which they were not responsible.

He also emphasised the need for putting a lifetime ban on blocking roads for any reason and allocating a public place for people to vent their anger and hold demonstrations.

“It’s time that we as a nation realise that roads must never be blocked for any reason as it not only makes people, including students, suffer but can endanger lives of patients trying to reach a hospital.”

Meanwhile, the British Council of Pakistan postponed its ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level exams in Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Wednesday.

“Exams in other parts of the country will continue as per schedule,” the British Council said in a statement on Facebook.

It further said that the exams from May 26 onward would continue as per plan.

In Karachi, the Dow University of Health Sciences also postponed all its exams scheduled for Wednesday.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2022