ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has approached the Cyber Crime Cell of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in regards to a fake notification circulating on social media saying a ban has been imposed on house jobs and internships for foreign graduates.

The council has also suggested that parents and students check the PMDC’s website when they hear such news before reaching conclusions and panicking.

The fake notification says foreign graduates will not be allowed to do their house job or internship in Pakistan as this places a burden on hospitals. It suggests foreign graduates complete their house jobs abroad.

A number of newspapers published the story as did some news channels, which added to the chaos.

PMDC President Prof Dr Shabir Lehri has said the notification is fake and that it may have been circulated on social media by someone with vested interests.

Dr Lehri said students who have completed their MBBS or BDS from abroad and have cleared the PMDC National Examination Board exam will be allowed to do their house jobs in public and private hospitals approved by the PMDC across Pakistan.

He said the PMDC has been trying its best to convince other countries which offer admissions to Pakistani students to also offer them jobs and house jobs.

An official of the FIA Cyber Crime Wing said he has not seen the complaint but in some cases it is easy to determine who uploaded the content in question for the first time, though it becomes difficult in other cases.

“Facebook cooperated with us during the investigation into the blasphemy issue and informed us about those who were involved in it. It becomes difficult to get information in common cases,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 26th, 2017