PMDC has introduced multiple registration options, established a dedicated MDCAT examination center in Islamabad, and agreed in principle to open a regional office in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to support students affected by prolonged internet disruptions.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced a series of special measures to facilitate students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) who have faced difficulties registering for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) due to a prolonged internet shutdown.
The decisions were made during a meeting between AJK Secretary of Health Brigadier Aamir Raza, Joint Admission Committee Chairman Professor Dr. Faisal Bashir, PMDC President Professor Dr. Rizwan Taj, Registrar Brigadier (Retd.) Rehan Naqvi, and Director of Admission Affairs Dr. Imdad Ali Khushk. The participants reviewed the registration challenges confronting students and discussed steps to ensure that eligible candidates are not denied the opportunity to sit the entrance examination.
During the meeting, AJK officials informed the council that the ongoing communication disruptions had significantly hindered students’ ability to complete the online MDCAT registration process. They requested the PMDC to provide maximum facilitation so that deserving students would not suffer because of circumstances beyond their control.
PMDC President Professor Dr. Rizwan Taj said the council had already introduced several initiatives to support affected students. He reiterated the government’s commitment to providing equal educational opportunities for all eligible candidates seeking admission to medical and dental colleges.
To accommodate students facing connectivity issues, the PMDC extended the MDCAT registration deadline with the regular fee on two occasions—first until July 13 and later until July 23, 2026. The council also expanded registration methods, allowing students to submit applications through WhatsApp, email, postal mail, or in person, in addition to the standard online process.
The council has also established a dedicated MDCAT examination center in Islamabad exclusively for candidates from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. A public notice has been issued, and a focal person has been appointed to assist students throughout the registration and examination process.
In another significant development, PMDC and the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir reached a preliminary agreement to establish a regional PMDC office in AJK. The proposal will be presented to the PMDC Governing Body for formal approval. The planned office is expected to improve access to council services for students and healthcare professionals across the region.
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