National Assembly Committee Validates MDCAT 2026 Results

What Was Announced

• The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, chaired by Dr. Mahesh Kumar Malani, declared the MDCAT 2026 results valid [3].
• Universities were directed to proceed with admissions without delay to avoid student uncertainty [2, 3].
• The committee recommended reducing the MDCAT result validity period from three years to one year, effective from the next academic year [2, 3].
• A six-member Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) team found no serious irregularities at the Sukkur IBA examination center [1, 3].
• Vice chancellors informed the committee that most complaints involved question papers and answer keys, which were resolved by the universities [3].
• To improve transparency, the committee requested that question papers be made available to students after future examinations [1, 2, 3].
• Regarding private medical college fees, the committee noted the prescribed minimum fee is Rs1.8 million [3].
• It was reported that 35 institutions were permitted to charge enhanced fees up to Rs2.1 million based on audit reports [3].
• The PMDC was directed to provide a list of colleges charging fees beyond approved limits and to take action against violators [3].
• The committee expressed concern over reports of students being harassed or prevented from attending classes due to unpaid additional charges [2, 3].
• Following a nursery fire at the PIMS Mother and Child Hospital on August 26, 2026, two committees were formed to investigate and propose reforms [2, 3].
• The Ministry of National Health Services informed the committee that work on 34 recommendations from the inquiry report is underway [3].
• The committee requested an audit of Rs. 22 billion allocated to PIMS over the last three years [1].
• The committee decided to invite the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to a future meeting to discuss tax issues for doctors in private practice [1, 3].
• The Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) reported that approximately 400 hospitals were sealed during 2026 [3].
• The Ministry was directed to present a draft Pharmacy Council Bill within one month [3].
• The committee sought a progress report on the 400-bed Polyclinic Hospital project [1, 3].