Medical Students Protest Outside PMDC Headquarters Against “Unjust” New Academic Policies
Nadeem Tanoli
Islamabad: A large number of medical and dental students gathered outside the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) headquarters in Islamabad, staging a peaceful but powerful demonstration against what they described as “unfair and discriminatory” academic policies. The protest was organized by The MedVoice and student groups including Islami Jamiat Talaba and Pragmatic Youth, who accused the PMDC of introducing sudden, unreasonable changes to medical education standards without student consultation.
Students voiced anger over the recent decision to raise the passing percentage for MBBS examinations from 50% to 65% and to increase the attendance requirement from 75% to 85%. They argued that the abrupt policy shift has placed enormous academic pressure on new students while creating inequality between different batches. Protesters demanded the immediate reversal of these changes, calling them “anti-student and anti-education.”
During the demonstration, student leader Ahmad Abdullah of Islami Jamiat Talaba Punjab North addressed the media, stating that the council’s actions have disrupted academic consistency and fairness. “When senior students can graduate with 50% marks, why should first-year students face a 65% threshold?” he questioned. He added that the PMDC must involve student representatives in decision-making committees to ensure transparency and protect student rights.
Students also decried the use of force by police to disperse the peaceful protest, claiming that several participants were subjected to baton charges and temporary detentions. According to organizers, some personal belongings of protesters remain in police custody. Despite these confrontations, student leaders maintained that the protest remained non-violent and that their goal was only to have their voices heard.
Student leaders have given the PMDC a ten-day deadline to issue an official notification meeting their demands. If the council fails to respond, they warned of nationwide demonstrations in medical colleges across Pakistan. “We are giving them time to correct their mistake,” said Abdullah. “If they do not act, we will expand this protest to every province.”
Protesters reaffirmed that medical students are not opposing reform but demanding fairness, consistency, and realistic standards. They urged the PMDC to prioritize curriculum modernization and faculty training before increasing academic thresholds, emphasizing that such abrupt changes damage morale and risk pushing many capable students out of the profession.
News Link: Students Rally Against PMDC Policy Changes – Peak Point
