ISLAMABAD: Parents of students from Yusra Medical and Dental College Islamabad have criticised the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) for ordering the closure of the college and, they said, endangering the future of their children.

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the college’s parents council president Dr Imran Khan Khattak said students had been home since the closure of the college was announced and had not been able to study. They are to sit exams within a month, and may not be able to clear them, he said.

The PMDC closed the Yusra Medical and Dental College and the Continental Medical College in Lahore after their inspections and asked students from both institutions to submit their preferences for other, registered medical colleges where they may complete their studies.

Dr Khattak said that he had asked the PMDC about the college before admitting his daughter and was told he should admit his children without any apprehension, as the school had all the facilities as well as competent faculty members.

“Now suddenly we have been told that the college lacks facilities and so it has been closed. Our children have been directed to change colleges just two months before the exam, due to which they have been facing severe pressure and may not be able to clear the exam, as every university has a separate integrated system of education,” he said.

“We have been told that one of the three hospitals attached with the Yusra Medical and Dental College does not match with the required facilities. Even in that case, we have learnt that the seats of the medical colleges are decreased rather than closing the colleges,” he said.

Dr Khattak also said the PMDC registrar was rude and should be removed. He said the PMDC should pay a role in attaching a hospital to a college rather than closing it down.

Moreover, he said, the PMDC can appoint its own administrator in the colleges to remove deficiencies.

PMDC Registrar Dr Waseem Hashmi recently told Dawn that the future of the students at these colleges had already been disturbed and the council’s move to adjust them in other colleges would secure their future.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2018