Only 1766 out of 8974 candidates pass medical officer recruitment test.
The recruitment of medical officers was conducted through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA) for the first time in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sparking controversy after a low pass rate raised questions over the test format.
Held on June 14, the written test was aimed at filling 115 vacant positions in various hospitals across the province.
A total of 8,974 candidates applied, but only 1,766 managed to pass, reflecting a success rate of just 19.67%.
In Batkhela, out of 2,424 candidates appearing for 32 seats, 476 cleared the test.
Haripur saw only 342 pass out of 5,216 applicants. Similar results were observed in Upper Dir and Mardan.
The Provincial Doctors Association (PDA) expressed strong reservations over the process. Dr. Qazi Shehbaz Mohiuddin, the PDA’s senior vice president, criticized the test format, claiming it included complex questions from specialised fields like ENT and gynecology.
He said not all general doctors are trained in those areas, and the time given — 75 minutes for 100 questions — was insufficient.
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ETEA officials defended the test, insisting it was transparent and relevant to the medical field.
Provincial Health Advisor Ehtisham Ali supported the results, stating that future recruitments will be based solely on merit, without external influence or recommendations.
