Dr Rafey Sher met Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in Islamabad to press for urgent action on the FMG crisis facing Pakistani doctors who completed medical training abroad but still lack clear pathways to licensure and employment at home. The meeting focused on removing persistent barriers that leave many qualified young physicians underemployed despite holding internationally recognised degrees.
Dr Rafey Sher outlined how Foreign Medical Graduates represent a skilled and largely untapped segment of the nation’s medical workforce. He described the FMG crisis as a structural problem that prevents competent doctors from contributing to healthcare delivery across Pakistan, especially in underserved districts where medical services are most needed.
Noting the political dimensions of the issue, Dr Rafey Sher said the Pakistan Peoples Party has expressed support and is pursuing institutional reforms to accommodate FMG qualifications. He urged the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to take an official stance and offer tangible backing, stressing that the FMG crisis should not be treated as a partisan matter. “The healthcare of our people must not be a partisan issue,” he said, calling on all parties to work together for fair treatment of Foreign Medical Graduates.
Dr Rafey Sher emphasised that addressing the FMG crisis is not only a question of justice but also a strategic necessity for Pakistan’s health system. With rising demand for medical services, integrating FMGs could strengthen capacity, improve access to care and help bridge gaps in rural and underserved areas.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif acknowledged the concerns raised and assured Dr Rafey Sher that the matter would be referred to the relevant government departments for further review. The minister reiterated the importance of qualified medical professionals for national development and expressed appreciation for ongoing advocacy on behalf of Foreign Medical Graduates.
