PM&DC Clarifies Its Inspection and Recognition Process
The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) strongly rejects the misleading, selective, and factually inaccurate narrative presented in the press, and clarifies its inspection and transparent, corruption-free recognition process. The reports omit critical legal and procedural facts, creating an unjustified impression of regulatory failure, whereas the record shows that PM&DC has acted lawfully, transparently, and responsibly since its reconstitution under the PM&DC Act, 2022.
The 15 medical and dental colleges were granted unlawful provisional recognition during 2019–20 by the erstwhile Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), in clear violation of applicable legal and regulatory requirements. The reconstituted PM&DC Council immediately suspended further student intake in these institutions as a corrective and fair measure, pending inspection and final determination. This step aimed to protect students’ interests and restore regulatory discipline. Simultaneously, the Ministry of National Health Services referred the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to investigate irregularities and fix responsibility. During this period, the Islamabad High Court directed PM&DC to continue the inspection process pending the outcome of the FIA inquiry.
Prior to inspections, PM&DC ensured all codal and mandatory prerequisites, including legal and financial requirements, were fulfilled. Out of the 15 colleges, 11 have been duly inspected over the last two years, one college’s inspection is being scheduled, and three colleges have not yet been inspected solely because they failed to meet mandatory prerequisites despite being given due opportunity. These institutions will be inspected once they comply with the prescribed requirements, following the same uniform, transparent, and merit-based process applied across the board. Claims suggesting selective treatment or arbitrary decision-making are therefore without basis.
Under the prevailing legal framework, recognition notifications are issued by the Federal Government following Federal Cabinet approval, and this process lies beyond PM&DC’s administrative control. For colleges successfully qualifying inspections, notification requests were duly forwarded to the Ministry in accordance with the law. One college has been notified, while six remain pending. Any attempt to attribute delays in notifications to PM&DC is factually incorrect.
The credibility of the inspection process remains beyond question. PM&DC’s inspections follow globally accepted accreditation practices, with independent inspection teams, objective assessment criteria, and opportunities for re-inspection where deficiencies are rectifiable. The fact that most institutions qualified only after second-round re-inspections demonstrates the Council’s commitment to maintaining standards rather than diluting them. Allegations of compromised inspections or lack of transparency are unsupported and misleading.
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Regarding alleged irregularities, PM&DC has taken due cognizance. Show-cause notices were issued to employees allegedly involved; judicial proceedings are currently underway. Contrary to the reports, there has been no attempt to conceal information, remove institutions from records, or avoid accountability.
Assertions that colleges are admitting students without recognition or in violation of the law are also misleading. PM&DC has consistently enforced stop-intake measures wherever required to safeguard students’ interests. Some institutions admitted students based on court rulings, but any admissions without lawful recognition remain subject to judicial scrutiny and corrective action.
Claims regarding improper legal representation are unsubstantiated. PM&DC actively pursues all legal cases through authorized counsel and is committed to defending public interest. While PM&DC sets minimum education standards, affiliating universities are legally obliged to ensure compliance, making regulatory oversight a shared statutory responsibility, not solely that of the Council.
Since the enactment of the PM&DC Act, 2022, and under the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, the Council has undergone comprehensive reforms to restore credibility, transparency, and institutional integrity. Key reforms include awarding a 10-year WFME accreditation, introducing globally aligned competency-based accreditation standards, implementing a merit-driven inspection system, and digitizing licensing, registration, and application processes. These measures have strengthened governance, eliminated discretionary practices, and reinforced public confidence in PM&DC as an independent and credible regulator.
In conclusion, portraying PM&DC as opaque or complicit in regulatory failures is unfounded and contrary to the factual record. The Council has acted responsibly, transparently, and strictly according to law and international best practices. PM&DC remains fully committed to safeguarding the quality and integrity of medical and dental education in Pakistan, ensuring only institutions meeting prescribed standards are permitted to operate, in the best interest of students, the profession, and public health.