senate health subcommittee
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Senate health subcommittee discusses A-Level, FSc …

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan’s Senate Health Subcommittee held an important meeting to discuss concerns surrounding the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), the country’s medical education policies, and the increasing number of students pursuing medical education abroad. The session was chaired by Senator Samina Zehri, the convener of the subcommittee, and attended by Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, Senator Anusha Rahman, Senator Shahzaib, and officials from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC).

During the meeting, Senator Samina Zehri highlighted the significant differences between Pakistan’s FSc (Faculty of Science) education system and the internationally recognized A-Level qualification. She remarked that Pakistan’s education system is well known for its challenges and that the disparity between the two academic streams should not be overlooked when formulating admission policies for medical colleges.

Responding to these concerns, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that the MDCAT examination is designed in a way that does not favor either A-Level or FSc students. He explained that the test includes questions that can be answered by candidates from both educational backgrounds, ensuring fairness in the admission process. According to the minister, the examination aims to assess students’ knowledge and aptitude rather than the curriculum they have studied.

Mustafa Kamal further suggested that a detailed analysis should be conducted to determine how students from different educational backgrounds perform in the MDCAT. He pointed out that approximately 95,000 students had passed the examination and proposed collecting data from the past five years to determine how many successful candidates came from A-Level and FSc backgrounds. Such data, he said, would provide evidence-based insights for future policy decisions.

The minister also assured members of the committee that the details of the assessment committee responsible for the MDCAT would be submitted within 24 hours. In response, Senator Anusha Rahman stated that the Senate committee was currently assisting the ministry in reviewing the admission process and therefore required complete information about the committee members involved in preparing and evaluating the examination.

Following the discussion, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal formally assured the committee that all requested information regarding the assessment committee would be provided within the promised timeframe.

During the meeting, Senator Anusha Rahman also called for a review of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council’s (PMDC) current policies. She emphasized the need to reassess regulations to ensure they effectively address the concerns of students and maintain the credibility of Pakistan’s medical education system.

Senator Shahzaib raised another important issue regarding Pakistani students who intend to pursue higher medical education abroad. He questioned why graduates of Pakistani universities who plan to enroll in medical institutions overseas are still required to take the MDCAT. Referring to a recently issued advertisement, he noted that the existing policy appears to require these students to pass the admission test even if they have no intention of studying medicine within Pakistan.

In response, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal acknowledged the concern and assured the committee that the policy would be reviewed. Senator Anusha Rahman added that while reviewing the policy, authorities should also ensure that students planning to study abroad avoid enrolling in institutions that have been identified as “red-flag” universities or those lacking proper accreditation.

The Chairman of the PMDC Reforms Committee informed the meeting that students intending to study medicine overseas are required to register with the PMDC before leaving the country. This registration process, he explained, helps the regulatory body monitor students and maintain standards for foreign medical qualifications.

Highlighting another major concern, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal stated that around 40,000 Pakistani students travel abroad each year for medical education, taking an estimated US$800 million out of the country. He stressed that this represents a significant financial outflow and underlined the importance of strengthening Pakistan’s own medical education system.

However, Senator Anusha Rahman offered a different perspective, arguing that many of these students eventually return to Pakistan after completing their education and contribute to the country’s economy through their professional earnings. She suggested that while the government should improve local opportunities, it should also recognize the long-term benefits that internationally educated professionals can bring back to Pakistan.

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Exports to Saudi Arabia witnessed a steeper decline of 20.5%, falling to $42 million from $52.8 million a year earlier. Shipments to Oman decreased 3.7% to $15.8 million from $16.4 million. Pakistan’s exports to Bahrain suffered the sharpest percentage decline among the GCC markets, dropping 50.8% to $2.3 million from $4.2 million. Exports to Kuwait declined 7.4% to $7.4 million, while shipments to Qatar fell 4.2% to $8.7 million from $9 million in the corresponding month of 2025. The decline has raised concerns over the ability of Pakistani exporters to maintain regular deliveries to Gulf markets, particularly for goods that depend heavily on maritime transportation. GCC imports also fall sharply Pakistan’s imports from GCC countries also recorded a substantial decline during July. The Commerce Ministry reported that imports fell 32.5% year-on-year to $1.0009 billion from $1.4825 billion in July 2025. Imports from the UAE decreased 34.2%, falling to $380.7 million from $576.5 million. Imports from Saudi Arabia declined 4.7% to $295.3 million from $310 million, while purchases from Bahrain dropped 44.4% to $15.1 million from $27.2 million. The most significant declines were recorded in imports from Kuwait and Qatar. Imports from Kuwait plunged 92.8% to $9.5 million from $132.1 million, while those from Qatar fell 96.1% to $10.2 million from $261.8 million. Oman was the exception, with Pakistani imports from the country increasing 67.7% to $290.2 million from $173 million a year earlier. Month-on-month trade also weakens The trade slowdown was also visible on a month-on-month basis. Pakistan’s exports in July were 2.7% lower than in June 2026. However, the performance varied considerably across GCC destinations. Exports to the UAE increased 15.7%, while shipments to Kuwait and Qatar rose 19.4% and 88%, respectively. In contrast, exports to Saudi Arabia declined 34.5% during the month. Shipments to Oman fell 34.6%, while exports to Bahrain decreased 18.2%. Imports recorded an even sharper monthly decline, falling 32.5% in July compared with June. Imports from the UAE decreased 17.9%, while those from Saudi Arabia fell 41.4%. Imports from Oman declined 49.9%, and purchases from Qatar plunged 93.2%. Imports from Bahrain and Kuwait, however, increased during the month, rising 295.8% and 72%, respectively. Maritime security disrupts Gulf trade The Commerce Ministry linked the deterioration in trade flows to the worsening maritime security situation following the breakdown of an interim truce between the United States and Iran in July 2026. According to the ministry, the resulting security concerns severely affected international shipping movements through key maritime routes and created uncertainty for commercial vessels operating in and around the Gulf. The ministry said the waterway normally accommodates between 70 and 80 commercial vessel crossings each day. However, traffic reportedly dropped to as few as six vessels a day during the disruption, leaving hundreds of ships waiting outside the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry also referred to statements attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to which vessels were required to obtain permission to pass through the strategic waterway. Such developments, coupled with threats against shipping, significantly increased the risks and costs associated with maritime trade. Red Sea tensions add to shipping risks The Commerce Ministry also highlighted the impact of attacks attributed to Houthi militants on Saudi oil facilities and areas along the Red Sea coast. The resulting security threats to Saudi-linked vessels have increased concerns surrounding shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, another critical maritime gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. With shipping operators facing heightened security risks, commercial maritime movement between Pakistan and GCC markets has been severely disrupted. The ministry said some Pakistani exports had consequently been shifted to air freight to ensure the delivery of goods to Gulf customers. However, air transport is considerably more expensive than sea freight, creating additional pressure on exporters and potentially reducing the competitiveness of Pakistani products in GCC markets. Government considers alternative shipping routes To reduce the impact of the disruption, the Commerce Ministry has proposed establishing dedicated feeder links between Karachi and safer maritime nodes outside the immediate Hormuz chokepoint. The proposed connections include Fujairah and Khor Fakkan in the UAE, as well as suitable Omani ports located outside the affected maritime corridor. Such routes could provide Pakistani exporters with alternative channels for moving cargo to the Gulf while reducing their exposure to disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry has also recommended accelerating the operationalisation of multi-purpose passenger and cargo ferry services between Gwadar and GCC ports. The proposed ferry network is intended to provide another avenue for transporting commercial goods and passengers while strengthening Gwadar’s role as an alternative regional logistics hub. PNSC vessels under consideration Another option being examined by the government is the use of vessels operated by the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation to maintain trade connectivity with GCC destinations. The deployment of national-flag shipping capacity could provide greater control over cargo movement at a time when private commercial operators are facing security and logistical constraints. Officials believe that maintaining reliable access to Gulf markets is important because GCC countries remain a major destination for Pakistani exports and a key source of energy and other imported commodities. The proposed measures are therefore aimed

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    Myanmar’s detained former leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Red Cross official

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    Sharmila Faruqui warns of growing PPP-PML-N tensio…

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    Two children killed, mother injured as dilapidated…

    ByJustpaste.in

    A tragic incident occurred in Chak 33 SP, a village in Pakistan’s Pakpattan district, where the roof of an old and dilapidated house collapsed during heavy rainfall, claiming the lives of two young children and leaving their mother seriously injured. The heartbreaking accident has once again highlighted the dangers posed by weak and poorly maintained structures, particularly during the monsoon season when continuous rain often weakens aging buildings. According to rescue officials, the incident took place while rain was falling in the area. The roof of the deteriorating house suddenly gave way, trapping members of the family beneath the debris. Neighbors rushed to the scene immediately after hearing the loud crash and attempted to help the victims before emergency rescue teams arrived. Rescue personnel quickly launched an operation to remove the debris and recover those trapped inside the collapsed house. After an intensive rescue effort, two children were pulled from the rubble but were found to have died from their injuries. Their mother, who was also trapped under the collapsed roof, was rescued alive but sustained serious injuries. Rescue sources confirmed that the bodies of the deceased children and the injured woman were shifted to a nearby hospital. Medical teams provided emergency treatment to the injured mother, while the children’s bodies were handed over for the necessary legal and medical procedures before being released to the family for burial. The tragic deaths have left the local community in deep shock and mourning. Residents gathered at the site to assist rescue workers and expressed grief over the heartbreaking loss of two innocent lives. Many locals also voiced concerns about the condition of old houses in the area, noting that numerous families continue to live in unsafe structures because they cannot afford repairs or reconstruction. Heavy monsoon rains frequently expose the vulnerability of aging homes across many parts of Pakistan. Weak roofs and deteriorating walls become increasingly unstable after prolonged rainfall, increasing the risk of collapse. Such incidents often result in injuries, fatalities, and significant property damage, particularly in rural areas where many houses are built with older construction materials and receive little maintenance. Authorities have repeatedly advised residents living in damaged or structurally weak buildings to take precautionary measures during periods of heavy rainfall. However, financial constraints often prevent families from repairing or rebuilding their homes, leaving them exposed to life-threatening risks whenever severe weather strikes. Disaster management experts stress the importance of inspecting old buildings before and during the monsoon season. Timely repairs, stronger construction standards, and public awareness campaigns can help reduce the likelihood of similar tragedies. Local administrations are also encouraged to identify vulnerable structures and provide assistance to families living in hazardous conditions. The incident in Chak 33 SP serves as another painful reminder of the devastating consequences that aging infrastructure and extreme weather can have on vulnerable communities. As the injured mother continues to receive medical treatment, the family and the entire village are grieving the loss of the two children whose lives were cut short in the tragic roof collapse. The unfortunate event underscores the urgent need for improved housing safety measures and greater support for families residing in unsafe homes, particularly during Pakistan’s annual monsoon season.

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