PMDC inspections are being carried out under a transparent, lawful framework after the reconstitution of the Council under the PM&DC Act, 2022, the authority said. The regulator has moved to protect students and restore regulatory discipline following provisional recognitions granted in violation of the law.
The Council noted that 15 medical and dental colleges received provisional recognition during 2019–20 from the former Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), a step it says contravened legal requirements. On reconstitution, PM&DC immediately suspended new admissions at those institutions pending proper inspections and compliance checks to ensure minimum standards were met.
Before launching inspections, PM&DC confirmed that all legal, financial and other mandatory preconditions had been satisfied. The Ministry of National Health Services referred the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Islamabad High Court directed PM&DC to continue inspections while investigative proceedings are under way.
To date, 11 of the 15 colleges have been inspected, one inspection is being scheduled and three institutions remain uninspected because they have not met basic requirements despite being given time to comply. PM&DC rejected assertions of selective or unfair treatment, saying inspections will proceed once outstanding conditions are satisfied.
The Council emphasised that recognition notifications are issued by the Federal Government after Federal Cabinet approval and therefore lie outside PM&DC’s authority. For colleges that met inspection standards, PM&DC has forwarded recommendations to the Ministry as required by law; one college has been officially notified while six await formal government notification.
PM&DC said its inspection methodology aligns with international standards, using independent teams and clear assessment criteria. Several colleges met requirements only after follow-up inspections, which the Council presented as evidence of maintaining quality rather than lowering standards. Allegations of biased or weak evaluations were described as misleading.
Where alleged misconduct by staff was identified, PM&DC issued show-cause notices and the matters are now before the courts. The Council stated there has been no attempt to conceal information and that it remains subject to judicial and investigative oversight.
The regulator also clarified that stop-admission orders have been enforced where appropriate; some admissions have nevertheless occurred due to court orders and remain subject to legal and regulatory review. PM&DC underlined that ensuring standards is a shared responsibility and that affiliated universities also carry legal obligations to monitor compliance.
Under the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj and following the PM&DC Act, 2022, the Council has introduced major reforms including a 10-year accreditation from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), modern competency-based standards, a transparent inspection system and full digitisation of licensing and registration processes. These steps, PM&DC said, strengthen governance and public confidence in medical and dental education in Pakistan.
PM&DC reiterated its commitment to act responsibly and strictly within the law to safeguard students, uphold professional standards and protect public health while completing the ongoing inspection and notification process.
