KARACHI: The investigation into the alleged MDCAT paper leak issue took a surprise turn when a key member of the probe body, the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, Registrar Dr Asad Ilyas tendered his resignation from it.
Sources within the Chief Secretary's Office have, confirming the receipt of Dr Ilyas' resignation, said the IBA registrar pointed out that the composition of the six-member committee, consisting of junior officials, does not align with the critical nature of the MDCAT issue.
He stressed that considering the gravity of the situation, a committee led by more senior individuals should have been established.
Furthermore, Dr. Ilyas expressed concerns about the committee's limited scope, saying it solely addresses allegations rather than conducting a comprehensive investigation.
He also noted that the seven-day timeframe provided for the committee's work is insufficient to fully comprehend, assess, and recommend measures that can prevent such incidents in the future.
In light of these considerations, Dr Ilyas tendered his resignation as a committee member.
This committee was tasked with submitting its report to the health secretary within a week. It is chaired by a special health secretary (Admin), a Grade 20 officer, with its other members including the IBA registrar, additional secretary of the Boards and Universities Department, deputy secretary services wing, and a representative from the FIA cybercrime division.
Dr Asad Ilyas was the sole PhD professor in Grade 21 among the committee members, and his institution possessed extensive experience in conducting tests. In contrast, the committee's chairman held a Grade 20 position, and the remaining members were junior officers with Grade 18 designations.
A committee insider revealed that issues of eligibility regarding the Jinnah Sindh Medical University's test had also surfaced during the committee's deliberations.
