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ISLAMABAD, Feb 06 (APP):Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Mukhtar Ahmad Malik on Friday apprised the Senate that a consensus had been reached to fix Rs1.8 million as the minimum standard fee for private medical colleges, while institutions charging fees above would be required to provide proper justification.
Replying to a question raised by Senator Rubina Qaimkhani during Question Hour, the minister said that under the PMDC Act, 2023, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) did not have the authority to directly reduce the fees of private medical colleges. However, he said the government intervened to protect students and parents from excessive financial burden.
He said the matter was taken up at the federal level and a high-level meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister was held, in which representatives of private medical colleges were invited. After detailed discussions, all sides agreed that Rs1.8 million would serve as the minimum benchmark fee.
Mukhtar Ahmad Malik said it was also decided that any medical college wishing to charge a fee higher than Rs1.8 million would have to submit a clear justification to the PMDC. He said factors such as hospital facilities, compliance with minimum standards, patient turnover and overall academic quality would be considered.
He informed the House that despite this agreement, several private medical colleges later approached the Islamabad High Court, arguing that the PMDC lacked the legal mandate to regulate fees under the existing law. The court subsequently granted a stay order.
The minister said that following the court proceedings, a number of private medical colleges accepted the agreed framework and reduced their fees to Rs1.8 million, while many others across the country did not comply.
Responding to supplementary questions, the minister said that institutions such as Aga Khan Medical College were being handled separately in view of previous court judgments. However, he reiterated that even in such cases, any fee above Rs1.8 million would require justification.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring affordable medical education while maintaining standards and transparency.
In reply to another question, the minister also clarified that OPD services at PIMS and the Polyclinic are operating in double shifts. He said the morning OPD runs till 2:00 p.m., after which the evening shift resumes and continues till 8:00 p.m.
He informed the House that routine laboratory investigations are carried out in batches, with most routine test results issued on the same day, while urgent tests prescribed by doctors are prioritised and provided immediately.