ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has warned doctors that as many as 10 universities have been offering unrecognised postgraduate programmes.

It announced that trainees currently enrolled in postgraduate programmes offered by these universities will not be considered, and their qualifications shall not be registered by the PMDC.

According to a notification, available with Dawn, after a careful review of the record, it has been identified that some universities have been offering and awarding postgraduate degrees and diplomas to MBBS and BDS doctors without fulfilling the mandatory requirement of recognition/accreditation under Section 25 of the PMDC Act, 2022.

The universities include TIMES University Multan, NUR International University Lahore, Gomal University DI Khan, Sohail University Karachi, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan, University of Faisalabad, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Hazara University Mansehra and Kohat University of Science and Technology.

Says any institution seeking recognition to offer postgraduate medical or dental qualifications must apply strictly under prescribed procedure

“Any institution seeking recognition to offer or award postgraduate medical or dental qualifications must apply strictly in accordance with the prescribed procedure under Section 25 of the PMDC Act, 2022, prior to commencing such programmes.

Furthermore, Section 34 of the PMDC Act, 2022 explicitly prohibits the establishment or operation of any institution for training or awarding medical or dental qualifications, including additional qualifications, without prior recognition from PMDC.

The same provision also prohibits universities from granting affiliation to unrecognised institutions or programmes,” it stated.

PMDC, which is a primary statutory regulatory authority responsible for registering medical practitioners, has directed all universities to immediately discontinue any unrecognised postgraduate programme offered to MBBS and BDS doctors.

“No degree-awarding institution, university, or training institute shall advertise, launch, or conduct any postgraduate medical or dental qualification or training programme without prior formal recognition from PMDC.

Trainees/residents (MBBS/BDS doctors) currently enrolled in postgraduate programmes offered by the aforementioned universities shall not be considered, and their qualifications shall not be registered by PMDC,” the notification issued by the Registrar of the council stated.

The PMDC sets standards for medical/dental education, and accrediting colleges across the country.

The Council also ensures ethical practices, oversees examinations like the National Medical and Dental Academic Board, and handles licensing.

It also regulates medical and dental colleges and ensures the quality of education.

Prof Dr Rizwan Taj is the president PMDC.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2026