KARACHI: Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Amjad Siraj Memon on Wednesday set up a committee to investigate allegations of paper leaks prior to the Medical Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held on Sunday.

According to a JSMU spokesperson, university registrar Dr Azam Khan will be the secretary of the committee. It will comprise of Prof Syed Masroor Ahmed, dean of the faculty of medical and allied sciences at JSMU; additional health secretary Maula Bakhsh Shaikh, and Mr Aleemuddin, representing the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) regional office in Karachi.

The committee also includes an official of grade 17 or above representing the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime Wing (CCW). It will hold its first meeting soon after its formation and submit its report to the higher authorities within one week.

The VC has assured students that the committee will conduct a thorough investigation and has asked them to cooperate with the committee and provide any information they may have about the alleged paper leak. “People can send their applications with evidence to the registrar’s office at JSMU, Rafiqui Shaheed Road, Karachi, or at the email address registrar@jsmu.edu.pk,” says a press release.

YDA warns of protest

Meanwhile, representatives of the Young Doctors’ Association (YDA) held a press conference on Wednesday at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and demanded that the authorities stop the results, re-hold the test, and punish the culprits.

They threatened to shut the universities, creating hurdles for the newcomers if a transparent inquiry was not conducted into the “paper leak incident” and admission tests were not organised again.

The paper, they said, had already gone viral on social media on the night before the students could take the test on Sept 10.

They also offered to present evidence in support of their allegations.

The YDA representatives in attendance included Dr Farrukh Rauf, Dr Faisal, Dr Farooq, Dr Sajjad and Dr Fida.

Published in Dawn, September 14th, 2023