KARACHI: MQM-P leader and MNA Dr Farooq Sattar on Monday demanded a comprehensive inquiry into MDCAT 2026, questioning the reported award of 179 marks out of 180 to a candidate and alleging irregularities in the examination and grading process.
Addressing a press conference at the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters, Sattar also criticised IBA Sukkur over what he described as poor management, inadequate test centres, lack of basic facilities and unfair grading.
He questioned the utilisation of fees collected from candidates, saying each student had been charged Rs9,000 despite receiving inadequate facilities. He alleged that many candidates were forced to take the examination outdoors in extreme heat.
Questions Over Karachi Test Centres
Sattar said only two examination centres were established in Karachi for around 12,000 candidates out of approximately 33,000 appearing across Sindh.
In comparison, he said, 16 centres were established in Peshawar for around 16,000 candidates.
He also questioned the selection of centres along University Road, pointing to the poor condition of the road and noting that candidates had been instructed to report as early as 6am.
Sattar expressed surprise that no student from Karachi had secured a top position on the merit list.
‘179 Out of 180’ Score Questioned
The MQM-P leader called for an investigation into the grading system, particularly questioning how a candidate reportedly secured 179 marks out of a possible 180.
Taking a sarcastic swipe at the marking process, Sattar remarked that if such trends continued, a candidate might be awarded “200 out of 180” next year.
He said MDCAT had not faced similar controversies between 2009 and 2019 when the examination was conducted by the National Testing Service (NTS), claiming questions began emerging after the Sindh government took control of the process.
Sattar further accused the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of being responsible for the controversy, describing MDCAT 2026 as a “conspiracy” and alleging political control over provincial institutions.
The allegations regarding the examination and grading system are Sattar’s claims, and the supplied report does not include responses from IBA Sukkur or the Sindh government.
