Karachi: Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) recently submitted counter affidavit to confirm that set of pleas challenging the 60 percent marks condition for eligibility in written bachelors of dental surgery (BDS) admission test should be granted and found no objection in the application.
The official copy of the document available with Dental News read that Dr Mahmood Shah, President PDA was aware of the fact of the case. It read that interim relief should be granted by the Sindh Court to students.
The document read, "No tangible and reasonable explanation has been given by Pakistan Medical Commission for this abrupt rise of MDCAT qualifying exam percentage."
The document further stated that the abrupt increase in merit lead to admission crisis. "This decision of Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has created an acute admission crisis whereby approxiamately 650 BDS seats are lying vacant."
Earlier, The Sindh High Court issued notices on 15 March to the Pakistan Medical Commission over a set of pleas challenging the 60 percent marks condition for eligibility in written bachelors of dental surgery (BDS) admission test.
The petitioners contend that the PMC initiated its admission process but restricted students with below 60 percent marks in their intermediate exams from sitting for the entrance test.
The petition mentions that there are 690 BDS seats in the province and 515 of them are vacant.
During the hearing, the petitioners' counsel, Haider Waheed, argued that the minimum 60 percent mark requirement was unjust with students.
He moved the court to issue a stay on the restriction. Upon inquiry, the court was informed that the petition has been filed by students, medical colleges, and a non-governmental organisation.
PMC representatives, however, stated that they had not received any notices yet. The court sought the entire BDS admission records and a reply from the PMC by the next hearing slated for March 22.
-DN Report
