An Intelligence Bureau (IB) report has uncovered what it describes as a “systematic network of corruption” within the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), with a particular focus on the allegedly fraudulent approval and recognition of Bahawalpur Medical College (BMC), Dawn News reported, citing official documents.
The current leadership at PMDC, however, has rejected any involvement in the allegations, stating that the misconduct occurred under previous administrations and that reforms, including stricter oversight mechanisms, have since been implemented.
According to the IB report, corruption within the council is believed to stem from unchecked discretionary powers and a lack of transparency. The report claims there is a widespread belief that large bribes are routinely exchanged to secure the accreditation of private medical and dental colleges, their affiliated teaching hospitals, and during inspection processes.
It further alleges that private institutions may be paying around Rs 10 million per seat to increase their student intake. The report also points to irregularities in the approval of medical journals as another channel for corruption.
The document highlights that the now-dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) demonstrated “incompetence and inefficiency” in the recognition and subsequent derecognition of BMC. According to the findings, BMC was granted recognition without submitting complete documentation or undergoing a required inspection — a process reportedly expedited through bribery.
Typically, inspection teams consist of eight members, but in BMC’s case, only two individuals were assigned. The report states that these members did not physically inspect the institution and merely signed a pre-prepared report, leading to the college’s approval despite failing to meet regulatory standards.
The report also notes that several investors were initially involved in establishing BMC, though some eventually withdrew due to internal disputes and delays in recognition. One of the former stakeholders reportedly filed a complaint, prompting PMC to revoke the college’s accreditation.
The intelligence report concluded that the defunct PMC’s leadership mishandled the situation, leading to regulatory lapses. As of last year, BMC is no longer operational, its registration having been revoked by the federal government, with enrolled students transferred to other institutions.
