KARACHI: Vice Chancellor of IBA Sukkur, Dr. Asif Sheikh, reportedly fainted shortly before the commencement of the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 in Karachi on Sunday.
Dr. Sheikh was immediately provided medical assistance following the incident. The video widely shared on social media shows Sheikh head-down on a table and later falling.
Meanwhile, the rising temperature at the examination venue has reportedly affected several students. A medical team at NED University provided treatment to a female student after she fell ill.
Medical personnel are providing students with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and juice to help prevent their condition from deteriorating. Doctors have also been called to the venue to monitor students’ blood pressure and provide medical assistance where required.
Another female student was provided medical assistance before the commencement of the examination.
Concerns were also raised over inadequate ventilation at the examination venue, with some fans in several blocks reportedly not functioning, adding to the discomfort caused by the intense heat.
Read more: MDCAT 2026: Over 138,000 candidates appear for exams across Pakistan
The MDCAT 2026 entrance exams are being held across Pakistan on Sunday, ARY News reported.
According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) a total of 138,158 candidates registered across five universities in the country are taking part in the exams.
Examination centres have been established in Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Larkana, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas, while centres have also been set up in Shaheed Benazirabad and Islamabad, officials said.
More than 34,000 students across Sindh are appearing for the examination, Professor Asif Ahmed Sheikh said.
In Karachi, around 6,000 candidates are appearing at NED University, while 4,964 candidates are taking the test at Dow University’s Ojha Campus. Overall, 10,964 candidates are expected to sit the examination in Karachi.
The test began at 10:00 a.m., while candidates were instructed to report to the examination centres by 6:30 a.m., according to Asif Ahmed Sheikh.
Strict security measures have been put in place.
