KARACHI: A major controversy has emerged over alleged irregularities in intermediate pre-medical examination results used for MBBS admissions in Sindh. Two leading public-sector medical universities have reportedly identified dozens of suspicious mark sheets containing discrepancies between students’ reported marks and the official examination records.
According to a report published by Jang and The News, the issue came to light during the verification of academic documents submitted by students seeking admission to medical colleges across the province.
Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, and Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), Karachi, reportedly identified a combined total of 53 questionable mark sheets.
The report states that the marks printed on some of these documents differed significantly from those recorded in the official examination gazettes issued by the relevant education boards.
Sources said that 43 suspicious mark sheets were identified at Liaquat University, while seven were found at Jinnah Sindh Medical University. Most of these documents were reportedly associated with the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Hyderabad.
However, the individual figures provided for the two universities add up to 50, while the overall number has been reported as 53. The discrepancy in these figures has not yet been explained.
Alleged Increase of Up to 100 Marks
According to sources cited in the report, the suspected irregularities are linked to the 2026 annual intermediate pre-medical examinations conducted by the Hyderabad education board.
During the verification process, substantial differences were reportedly discovered between marks appearing on certain candidates’ submitted mark sheets and the results recorded in the board’s official gazette.
In some cases, students’ total marks were allegedly increased by between 50 and 100 marks under the examination scrutiny process.
Such changes, if found to have been made outside the prescribed rules, could significantly affect the merit rankings used for admission to medical colleges.
MBBS admissions are highly competitive, and academic results play an important role in determining candidates’ eligibility and merit positions.
An unauthorized increase in examination marks could potentially give some applicants an unfair advantage over other students.
However, the allegations have not yet been established through a completed investigation.
Questions Raised Over Hyderabad Board’s Scrutiny Process
The report also raises concerns about the timing of the alleged changes in examination marks.
Sources claimed that some of the scrutiny-related changes were processed while Hyderabad education board chairman Faqir Muhammad Lakho was abroad performing Umrah.
This has raised questions about who authorized the changes during the chairman’s absence and whether the relevant officials followed the board’s established procedures.
Concerns have also been expressed about the officers responsible for handling scrutiny applications and approving any resulting changes to students’ examination records.
A scrutiny process is generally intended to review examination records and identify possible errors in the calculation or recording of marks.
However, any changes made through such a process must comply with the relevant board’s regulations and approval requirements.
The report does not establish whether the disputed changes were legitimate corrections or unauthorized alterations.
Education Board Official Reportedly Suspended
According to the report, complaints about alleged irregularities in the Hyderabad education board’s 2026 intermediate Part-II examination results had already surfaced.
Sources said that Ejaz Ali Kaka, deputy controller of the board’s Top Secret Branch, had been suspended in connection with concerns surrounding examination results.
However, the report does not provide the findings of any completed disciplinary investigation or establish responsibility for the disputed medical admission documents.
A suspension alone does not prove that an official was involved in wrongdoing.
The matter has nevertheless raised concerns about the reliability of examination records and the procedures used to verify changes in students’ marks.
Concerns Extend to Mirpurkhas Education Board
The controversy may not be limited to examination documents associated with the Hyderabad board.
According to sources, concerns have also been raised about possible changes in marks appearing on certain documents issued by the Mirpurkhas education board.
However, the report does not specify how many Mirpurkhas board mark sheets are under suspicion or whether any irregularities have been formally confirmed.
Sources further claimed that medical universities had requested original examination gazettes from the relevant education boards to verify candidates’ academic records.
Despite these requests, some of the necessary records had reportedly not been provided, creating difficulties for universities attempting to independently verify submitted mark sheets.
Access to authentic examination records is essential for ensuring that admission decisions are based on accurate academic results.
Without reliable verification, universities may face challenges in confirming whether applicants meet the required merit criteria.
Questions Over Verification at Larkana Medical University
The report also mentions Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University in Larkana, another major public-sector institution involved in medical admissions in Sindh.
According to sources, no suspicious mark sheets had been reported at the university at the time of the report.
However, questions were raised about whether its document verification procedures were sufficiently comprehensive.
The absence of reported suspicious documents does not necessarily indicate that irregularities have occurred or that the university’s verification system is defective.
A thorough examination of official records would be required before drawing conclusions about the reliability of any institution’s admission process.
Why the Allegations Matter for Medical Students
Medical college admissions in Pakistan are highly competitive, with thousands of students seeking a limited number of seats each year.
Academic performance is an important component of the admission process, alongside other applicable eligibility and merit requirements.
Even relatively small differences in examination marks can affect a candidate’s position on a merit list.
For this reason, accurate academic records and transparent verification procedures are essential for maintaining confidence in the admission system.
If unauthorized changes to marks are confirmed, they could raise serious questions about the fairness of admissions and the treatment of candidates who submitted genuine results.
Students who have worked to secure admission through legitimate examination performance could be disadvantaged if inaccurate documents are accepted.
However, the current allegations should not be treated as proof that any particular student obtained admission through fraudulent means.
Calls for Thorough Verification of Academic Records
The reported discrepancies have highlighted the need for medical universities and education boards to strengthen coordination during the admission process.
Comparing submitted mark sheets with official examination gazettes can help identify inconsistencies and determine whether changes were properly authorized.
Where differences are discovered, the relevant scrutiny applications, approval records and examination documents would need to be examined.
Such verification could establish whether discrepancies resulted from administrative errors, legitimate corrections or deliberate manipulation.
Sources cited in the report expressed concern that additional irregularities might emerge if all medical universities conducted comprehensive checks of applicants’ examination records.
However, the extent of any wider problem remains unknown.
Final Findings Still Awaited
The controversy has raised important questions about transparency in Sindh’s medical admission system and the accuracy of intermediate examination results.
According to the supplied report, two major public-sector medical universities have identified suspicious documents, while concerns have also been raised about the scrutiny process at the Hyderabad education board.
The allegations involving mark changes of 50 to 100 points have yet to be conclusively established through an official investigation.
It also remains unclear how many disputed documents, if any, resulted in admissions being granted.
A detailed review of the original examination gazettes, scrutiny records and university admission documents would be necessary to determine the facts.
Until the relevant authorities complete their examination, the reported discrepancies remain allegations requiring verification.
The case underscores the importance of accurate academic records, transparent admissions and effective oversight to protect the rights of students competing for medical college seats in Sindh.