PMDC imposes 3-year ban on new medical colleges
Sets MDCAT exam for October 5
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has imposed a three-year ban on the establishment of new medical and dental colleges across the country, citing a shortage of qualified faculty and concerns over educational standards.
The announcement was made during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health, chaired by Senator Aamir Waleeduddin on Tuesday.
According to 24NewsHD TV channel, PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj confirmed that the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) will be held nationwide on October 5.
Last year’s exam faced criticism over out-of-syllabus questions, prompting reforms.
This year, a bank of 10,000 MCQs has been prepared, and the test duration has been reduced from 3.5 to 3 hours with 180 questions instead of 200, following feedback from parents.
The committee also discussed the PMDC amendment bill, sparking a contentious debate on whether parliamentarians should be included in the PMDC board.
Senator Humayun Mohmand argued that lawmakers should have representation, as in other regulatory bodies.
PMDC President Dr Taj opposed the move, stating that historically, parliamentarians have not been part of the board to maintain neutrality.
Committee chairman Senator Waleeduddin countered, citing past instances where members from the National Assembly and Senate served on the board.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal strongly opposed political inclusion, stating, "The PMDC has a 10-year national accreditation and must remain free from political influence."
Senator Irfan Siddiqui, however, argued that structured political input could improve governance, suggesting that consultations with stakeholders be held before finalizing the bill.
The committee deferred further discussion to the next meeting.
Dr Taj explained that Pakistan’s rapid increase in medical colleges—many lacking proper faculty and infrastructure—has compromised education quality.
"The moratorium aims to consolidate standards before allowing new institutions."
Despite challenges, Minister Kamal emphasized that Pakistani doctors remain highly regarded globally, and reforms must protect the profession’s integrity.