ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking more than four attempts each for clearing MBBS year one and two.

Talking to Dawn, Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) President Dr Shabbir Lehri said those who take more than four attempts to clear their first or second year of MBBS cannot become doctors and should not waste public money or that of their parents.

During the last five years, the PMDC has struck off the names of some 300 students who did not manage to clear their exams in four attempts. Some students say they should have unlimited chances to clear MBBS exams as was the practice some two decades ago.

Some students had filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court in this regard. The petition was heard by a three member bench including Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Munir Alam and Justice Dost Mohammad Khan and was rejected on Aug 10.

The court’s order, which has been received by the council and is available with Dawn, says the petitioner was upset because she could not adjust to college life and could not clear her exams in four attempts. The order says that the law made by the PMDC in this regard is absolutely valid and correct.

A PMDC official said the council had decided a decade and a half ago that students should have no more than four chances to clear their first and second year of MBBS each because some students had been studying in colleges for 15 years, were making student unions and were involved in unlawful activities.

“Some students are demanding unlimited chances and others are asking that they should be able to use their eight chances across both years. For instance, six chances in the first year and two in the second,” he said, adding that the council can now use the SC decision in case of pressure from influential people or institutions.

Dr Lehri explained that students are given the additional three chances because of the possibility that students can fall ill or can fail exams due to other reasons.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...