Medical bodies for judicial probe into Dr Kumbhar’s killing, concerned at MDCAT ‘paper leak’

KARACHI: Expressing outrage over extrajudicial killing of Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar, the Joint Action Committee (JAC), comprising different medical organizations, has demanded judicial inquiry into the incident, besides condemning alleged leak of MDCAT paper.

The JAC comprises the Young Doctors Association (YDA) Sindh, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), Faran Club, and Senior Advocates.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, the, JAC representatives expressed the medical community's outrage over Dr. Kumbhar's unlawful killing, allegedly by police officers.

YDA Patron-in-Chief Dr. Omer Sultan, stressed the need for justice, declaring, “This brutal killing is a blatant violation of basic human rights and cannot be tolerated in a civilised society. The police, who are entrusted with protecting citizens, have grossly overstepped their authority. We demand a judicial inquiry to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

YDA Sindh Chairman Dr. Farukh Rauf denounced the killing as a direct assault on the safety of healthcare professionals and the rule of law, stating, “No individual should be subjected to such cruelty without due process. We stand united in our call for swift justice for our colleague.”

YDA Sindh President Dr. Waris Ali echoed the deep anguish within the medical fraternity. “It is shocking that a doctor, whose duty is to save lives, could be subjected to such brutality by the very institutions meant to protect the public. We will not rest until a transparent investigation is conducted, and justice is served,” he added.

In addition to condemning the killing, the JAC also raised serious concerns over the recent MDCAT exam paper leak.

Dr. Shamil, Head of MDCAT, expressed alarm over the impact on the future of aspiring medical students, stating, “This paper leak is a significant blow to the credibility of our medical education system. Aspiring doctors deserve a fair and transparent examination process.”

PMA President Dr. Peer Manzoor called for urgent action, warning, “The future of our medical profession is at stake. We urge the authorities to take swift measures to restore confidence in the examination system.”

PMA General Secretary Dr. Muhammad Khan Shar emphasised the need for systemic reforms. “The MDCAT paper leak is not just a failure of the system but a betrayal of the trust placed by thousands of students. We demand immediate reforms to ensure transparency and fairness in all medical entrance exams.”

The JAC demands an independent and thorough investigation to hold those responsible for Dr Kumbhar’s death accountable, urgent steps to restore fairness in the medical examination process, concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals, implementation of reforms to prevent future paper leaks and discrepancies, and ensuring a fair and transparent process for all aspiring medical students.

The medical community stands united in its quest for justice for Dr. Kumbhar and in its demand for reforms in the medical examination system and the JAC remains committed to pursuing these matters until justice is delivered and the integrity of the medical profession is restored.