RAWALPINDI, Feb 10: Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has thrown its weight behind the University of Health Sciences (UHS) in its row with Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) over examination system, sources told this reporter.

In a letter addressed to the UHS, the PM&DC has observed that it is the sole discretion of the examining body (UHS) to lay down the policy of marking the theory paper and practical examination.

The UHS, following a resolution by the academic council of the RMC demanding change in the examination system, had sought opinion from PMDC about the demand. The Council governs medical profession in the country.

It's worthwhile to mention that certain members of the RMC's academic council had alleged that the examination system of the UHS violated the rules prescribed by the PMDC in this regard.

The PMDC letter stated that it had not made any regulation regarding the marking system of theory papers and affixing of fictitious roll numbers to the scripts of the students in professional examinations conducted by different universities in the country. Regarding the RMC's resolution, the Council said the UHS may act according to its own rules and regulations.

The controversy started following the poor results of the RMC students in one of the professional exams conducted by the UHS. The university had stopped some of the students from taking further exams till they cleared the failed subjects. This resulted in strike by the students.