AJK Students Demand MDCAT Schedule Extension
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: Thousands of medical college aspirants in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) say they are being forced into an unequal competition as MDCAT registration begins while their intermediate board examinations remain postponed and internet access continues to be disrupted in several areas.
The students have appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to intervene, warning that they are at a significant disadvantage compared to candidates from other educational boards across the country.
Their primary concern is that while students in most provinces have completed or are close to completing their FSc examinations, AJK students are still awaiting a revised schedule after the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Mirpur postponed the remaining papers until further notice.
Students argue that preparing for MDCAT under such uncertainty is extremely difficult.
“We are expected to compete in the same entrance test as students whose board exams are already over, but we are still waiting to find out when our own examinations will resume,” one candidate said.
The delay has created academic uncertainty and added psychological pressure for students who must simultaneously prepare for one of the country’s most competitive entrance examinations.
Adding to their concerns, many students say internet disruptions in several parts of AJK have limited their access to online classes, MDCAT preparation material, registration portals, and communication with teachers.
Since MDCAT registration is conducted online, students fear that unstable internet services could prevent some candidates from completing the registration process within the stipulated timeframe.
According to the current schedule, MDCAT registration opened on June 22 and will continue until July 8, with late registration available until July 13. The examination is scheduled to be held on August 16.
Students are demanding an extension in the registration and examination schedule, arguing that such a step would provide them sufficient time to complete their board examinations and recover valuable preparation time lost due to circumstances beyond their control.
The issue extends beyond AJK residents alone. A significant number of students from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad are enrolled in educational institutions located in AJK, including inter colleges and cadet colleges. These students are also affected by the ongoing disruptions.
Students contend that the current situation has created an uneven playing field. While candidates from other boards can focus entirely on MDCAT preparation, AJK students remain caught between postponed board examinations, registration concerns, and uncertainty regarding their academic calendar.
Many students have also reported difficulties attending academies and study centres due to road closures, transport disruptions, and movement restrictions, further affecting their preparation.
The affected candidates insist they are not seeking special treatment but a fair opportunity to compete on equal terms.
They have urged PMDC, the AJK Board, and federal authorities to coordinate and announce a clear roadmap that addresses both examination delays and MDCAT scheduling concerns.
Parents have echoed these concerns, saying students who have spent years preparing for medical admissions should not be penalized because of circumstances outside their control.
PMDC was approached for comment regarding the students’ demands; however, no official response had been received at the time of filing this report.
With the future of thousands of aspiring doctors hanging in the balance, students hope authorities will take a practical and compassionate approach before the MDCAT process moves further ahead.
