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ISLAMABAD, Jan 26 (APP):The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has strongly rejected recent media reports questioning its inspection and recognition processes for medical and dental colleges.
Terming the coverage misleading and factually incorrect, the Council asserted that it has acted transparently, lawfully and in accordance with international standards since its reconstitution under the PM&DC Act, 2022.
In a detailed clarification issued on Monday, PM&DC said that the reporting omitted key legal and procedural facts and gave an unjustified impression of regulatory failure, whereas official records demonstrate that the Council has functioned responsibly.
According to the Council, 15 medical and dental colleges were granted provisional recognition during 2019–20 by the now-dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) in violation of applicable regulations.
After assuming charge under the new Act, the PM&DC immediately suspended student intake in these colleges to protect students’ interests and restore regulatory discipline.
The Ministry of National Health Services subsequently referred the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for investigation, while the Islamabad High Court directed PM&DC to continue inspections pending the FIA probe.
PM&DC reported that inspections have since been carried out in a systematic and merit-based manner. Out of the 15 colleges, 11 colleges have been inspected, one college is scheduled for inspection, while three colleges are pending due to non-fulfillment of mandatory legal and financial prerequisites.
The Council said these institutions will be inspected once they comply. “Claims suggesting selective treatment or arbitrary decision-making are without basis,” it stated.
PM&DC clarified that the Council does not issue recognition notifications under the current legal framework. Final notifications are issued by the Federal Government after approval from the Federal Cabinet.
It added for colleges that qualified inspections, recognition requests were duly forwarded to the relevant ministry.
One institution has been notified while six remain pending, the Council said, adding that attributing delays to the Council was factually incorrect.
The Council defended the integrity of its inspection system, noting that assessments are carried out using globally recognized accreditation practices, independent inspection teams and objective indicators.
It added that most colleges qualified only after second-round inspections, “reflecting commitment to maintaining—not diluting—standards.”
It said that allegations that inspections lacked transparency or were compromised were termed unsupported and misleading.
Responding to claims that irregularities were ignored or concealed, PM&DC said show-cause notices were issued to implicated employees and judicial proceedings remain underway.
It rejected assertions of attempts to remove institutions from records or evade accountability.
On reports of unlawful admissions, the Council stated that it has consistently enforced stop-intake measures. However, some institutions admitted students based on various court orders and these cases remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
The Council highlighted that regulatory oversight is a shared statutory function, noting that affiliating universities are legally required to ensure compliance with minimum standards set by PM&DC.
The Council mentioned extensive reforms initiated since the enactment of the PM&DC Act, 2022 under the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, including, securing 10-year WFME global accreditation adopting competency-based accreditation standards establishing a transparent inspection and recognition system
digitizing licensing and registration processes eliminating discretionary practices.
“These reforms have enhanced institutional credibility, strengthened governance and restored public confidence,” the statement said.
PM&DC said that portraying the Council as opaque or complicit in regulatory failures was contrary to the factual record.
It reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the quality and integrity of medical and dental education in Pakistan and ensuring that only compliant institutions are permitted to operate in the interest of students, the profession and public health.