PESHAWAR: The provincial government has decided to suspend mobile phone services during the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) on September 22 to prevent cheating.
The MDCAT, a paper-based exam conducted by several universities in Pakistan and overseas, is required for admission to medical colleges in Pakistan.
This action follows numerous complaints of cheating during the 2023 MDCAT. Around 19,000 candidates are expected to take the exam in the provincial capital, where six examination centers have been established.
The decision was made by Peshawar Division Commissioner Riaz Khan Mehsud during a meeting attended by the Peshawar deputy commissioner, Khyber Medical University registrar, police officials, and other relevant authorities. Mobile phone towers near the exam centers will be turned off for four hours, and jammers will be installed inside the exam halls. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has been informed of this decision. Moreover, a ban on public gatherings near exam centers will be enforced under Section 144 of the CrPC.
A traffic management plan has been set up to ensure smooth flow of traffic during the MDCAT in Peshawar. The security superintendent has been instructed to deploy male and female police officers, and a comprehensive security plan has been put in place to safeguard exam staff and candidates.
