ISLAMABAD: While efforts are underway to reduce the passing marks for the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) to fill vacant seats in colleges, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal on Monday highlighted a different aspect of the issue, which is directly related to the quality of education.

“Medical and dental colleges that charge Rs3.5 million in annual fees do not have a single vacant seat. However, colleges charging Rs1.8 million in annual fees have a number of vacant seats,” he said during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health, chaired by MNA Dr Mahesh Kumar Malani.

The committee discussed the issue of vacant seats in medical colleges despite a reduction in merit and whether the MDCAT passing marks should be further reduced to 50 per cent. It was also suggested that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) be directed to reduce the percentage of difficult questions in the MDCAT.

The health minister agreed that there was an issue of vacant seats in medical and dental colleges. “If high fees are an issue, why are there hardly any vacant seats in colleges that charge very high fees?” he asked.

Committee seeks probe into vacancies, asks PMDC to submit report within a month

The committee stressed that the issue of vacant seats must be properly investigated before any further policy decision is taken. The PMDC was directed to inspect private colleges with vacant seats and submit a report identifying the reasons for the vacancies. The committee expressed grave concern over the delay in providing information required during its previous meeting and directed that the report be submitted within one month.

The committee further discussed the need for regular inspections and effective monitoring of medical colleges. The chairman stressed that institutions failing to maintain the required standards or continuing to have substantial vacant seats should be subject to appropriate regulatory action, including reconsideration of their approved seats.

Regarding MDCAT eligibility, the committee discussed the existing 60pc threshold and whether a gradual reduction could broaden access.

The committee cautioned that students below the existing academic threshold may face difficulties in completing or qualifying in subsequent stages of medical education. It noted the need to balance access to medical education with academic standards.

The proposed increase in the duration of the BDS programme from four to five years, aimed at bringing it in line with international standards, was also discussed. The PMDC informed the committee that arrangements would be considered for students already enrolled under the existing programme structure.

The committee reviewed the PMDC’s preparedness for the MDCAT 2026. It was informed that the PMDC had rescheduled the MDCAT 2026 examination to Sunday, Sept 20, 2026, to ensure a transparent, secure and well-organised process and to provide relief to candidates.

The health minister informed the committee that a number of colleges had requested an increase in fees and that universities could not independently increase fees.

Of the 61 medical colleges considered, 35 had qualified under the prescribed criteria.

The committee sought details of fee justification and scrutiny, along with audited financial statements, for each of the 35 qualified institutions.

The PMDC was asked to share the status of institutions that had not qualified but were nevertheless charging higher fees and still displaying the fees on their websites.

The committee also reviewed matters relating to the Pakistan Nursing and Midwifery Council (PNMC). It was informed that inspections of nursing institutions were being undertaken and that a new digitalised application had been introduced for inspectors to record inspection data in real time.

Meanwhile, a ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health in Islamabad for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Sheikh Zayed Institute and ChildLife Foundation for the establishment of a modern Children’s Emergency Unit at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore.

Mustafa Kamal and Federal Secretary Health Aslam Ghauri attended the ceremony.

Under the MoU, a 10-bed modern Children’s Emergency Unit will be established at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore to provide emergency medical care to children.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2026