ISLAMABAD: After receiving a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office regarding alleged corruption in the registration of Bahawalpur Medical College (BMC), the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has transferred as many as 12 officials to other cities.

On the other hand, BMC is no longer functional as its registration was withdrawn by the federal capital last year, and students were distributed among other medical colleges.

According to a letter written by Additional PM Office Secretary Sarah Aslam, available with Dawn, two reports were received from the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission and the Intelligence Bureau.

“The reports revealed serious irregularities committed by the authorities and officers appointed/posted in the erstwhile PMC, who granted recognition to Bahawalpur Medical College without adhering to the due legal process, allegedly in exchange for monetary gains. The reports also highlighted the ongoing corrupt practices within the existing PMDC, identifying individuals with questionable integrity involved in such activities,” it stated.

“It has been desired that the Ministry of National Health Services may go through the reports and take further necessary action to implement the recommendations contained therein under the law/rules/policy,” it further stated.

An official of the PMDC, wishing not to be quoted, said that the college was established in 2017–18 and then inspection was held during the tenure of the defunct Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC). He said the college was registered, but the registration was withdrawn immediately. After one week, the college was registered again and then again the registration was withdrawn.

“Then after 10 months, once again it was decided to hold an inspection for the registration, but the college administration refused, due to which a court order was sought and the registration request was rejected after inspection. The college had only admitted one batch of students, so the students were distributed among other colleges,” he said.

Last year, the federal cabinet approved the withdrawal of recognition and last month the PMDC received a letter from the PM Office. “Based on the letter, as many as 12 officials have been transferred to other stations,” he added.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2025