A major policy change by the Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has triggered widespread confusion among thousands of foreign medical graduates returning to Pakistan.
The council now requires that only graduates of PM&DC-recognised foreign medical universities are eligible for provisional registration and house jobs in Pakistan. Graduates from non-recognised universities must pass the National Registration Examination (NRE) to secure a provisional licence.
Key Countries Affected
Students who studied in the following countries are most affected:
- China
- Russia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Kazakhstan
- Azerbaijan
PM&DC noted that most of the impacted graduates began their education during the eras of the PM&DC Ordinance 1962 and the PMC Act 2020.
Graduates Face Portal Closures and Delays
Upon returning this summer, many graduates found their registration portals blocked. Some were initially told it was an IT issue, but after two months, the council issued new rules.
Dr. Rafey Sher, a graduate from the recognised International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK), said:
“Students from a batch just six months before us got licences, but our applications were locked and later rejected under the new policy.”
He claims to have already lost months, and house job slots are now full.
PM&DC Stands Firm — But Graduates Dispute Numbers
PM&DC maintains that only 700 students are affected. However, Foreign Medical Graduates (FMGs) representatives claim the figure is closer to 3,000, including students who could not access their portals at all.
The council said it changed the policy to ensure patient safety and strengthen the health system. It has also increased the fee for adding a foreign university to the recognised list from $5,000 to $10,000.
Press Release Contradictions and Escalating Protests
PM&DC issued a press release assuring that graduates from recognised foreign institutions remain eligible for provisional registration without NRE.
But Dr. Rafey says the claim is not reflected in practice.
He took the matter to Parliament and met Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal. PPP lawmakers have also joined the protest.
Similar Delays Reported in Local Universities
Confusion is not limited to foreign degrees.
Dr. Fatima Abid of Jinnah Sindh Medical University said:
“Even graduates from recognised universities in Sindh face massive delays due to inspection or procedural backlogs.”
She urged PM&DC to restore transparency to avoid blocking house job placements.
Despite repeated attempts, PM&DC did not respond to media queries regarding implementation gaps, backlog issues, or student claims.
