The city of Peshawar is preparing to implement a targeted suspension of mobile phone services on September 22, aligning with the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). This decision, disclosed by the Peshawar Commissioner, will impact areas surrounding all examination centers within the city.
The temporary suspension of mobile services will last for four hours, corresponding with the duration of the MDCAT. According to officials, this measure is intended to prevent cheating and other unethical practices that could undermine the examination’s integrity.
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In coordination with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), the Commissioner’s office has formally requested the network shutdown through an official letter. The letter outlines the purpose of the suspension, seeking PTA’s support in implementing this localized blackout. Additional security precautions have been outlined for MDCAT 2024, including the installation of signal jamming devices inside and outside examination centers to block mobile phone communications further and safeguard the test’s integrity.
To ensure order near the test venues, Section 144 has been invoked, banning unauthorized individuals from congregating in these areas. This measure aims to minimize disruptions and maintain an atmosphere conducive to focused test-taking.
Moreover, the Superintendent of Police (SP) Security has been entrusted with devising a detailed security plan. This includes deploying male and female police officers to ensure the safety of examination staff and candidates during the testing period.
Khyber Medical University Peshawar is managing the MDCAT 2024 across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with multiple test centers being set up in Peshawar to accommodate the large number of candidates.
