The Economic Affairs Division and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) have locked horns over granting admissions in medical colleges of Punjab to students from the Indian-held Kashmir who do not fulfil the minimum basic eligibility criteria, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Under the Pakistan Technical Assistance Programme, the federal government through the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) nominates foreign students who come to different institutions in Pakistan to study various disciplines including medicine. Per the policy set by the PMDC and even advertised by the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), students are required to “pass the entry test of concerned institutions or secure a minimum of SAT II score of 550”. However, none of the 15 prospective students from the IHK nominated by the EAD for admissions in different medical colleges in Punjab have taken the entry test or appeared in the SAT II. Recently, a group of Afghan students had similar problems and the PMDC waived off the condition of appearing in the SAT II for them upon request from the EAD, which has again written a letter to the PMDC to give the same relaxation to the students from the IHK.
Interestingly, the similar problem arose even last year when the EAD nominated students who did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria. Per a letter written by the Health Department “Keeping in view the gravity of the situation” Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif set up a committee headed by Senator Ishaq Dar to “examine the issue” and propose recommendations. The committee decided that the students “may be provisionally admitted and asked to clear SAT II examination scheduled to be held in May, failing which their provisional admission and registration shall be cancelled”. The EAD and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) were informed in writing that admissions for session 2011-12 shall be made in accordance with the policy approved by the Punjab government and framed in accordance with the regulations 2010 of the PMDC. However, sources maintain that the exemption was given last year because the admissions had already been completed by then.
Moreover, the Health Department, in another letter categorically said “this exemption however shall not be quoted as a precedent in future”, adding that it should be made “abundantly clear” to the EAD and HEC that students not fulfilling the basic eligibility criteria would not be entertained. Talking to Pakistan Today, EAD Section Officer Anwar Ali said a letter has been written to the PMDC to consider the case considering the “sensitivity” of the matter, but no reply has been received so far. “Even high ups from other departments have been asked to take up the issue,” he added. To a question, he said the nominations come from “high-ups” and hence the EAD should not be blamed for it.
PMDC Registrar Nadeem however said all admissions were granted considering rules and regulations which are clearly laid down. “Directions on such cases come from the executive and only then action is taken,” he added. To a question, he said the decision on Afghan students was taken after “serious deliberations”, considering many factors and upon the directions from the executive.
