LOWER DIR: Timergara Medical College (TMC) requires a grant-in-aid of Rs993 million to meet its needs, including provision of accommodation to female staff and transport facilities to students, before initiating academic activities, according to Prof Syedul Abrar Lakhkar Khan, the principal of the college.
Briefing journalists here on Monday on his first year in the office, he urged government to approve the required funds without delay. The college could be made operational if its basic requirements were met, he added.
The principal said that the project was approved in 2015 and the college was inaugurated in July that year by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf founder Imran Khan.
He regretted that despite the lapse of 11 years, academic activities were yet to begin in the college. Recruitment of Class-IV employees and clerical staff was carried out in 2022 while around Rs4 billion was so far spent on purchase of equipment and renovation of the college building, he added.
Principal urges govt to approve funds without delay
Prof Lakhkar Khan said that several departments were expanded and laboratories established in line with modern educational and medical requirements. An administrative block was also set up to improve management while efforts were made to acquire the land required under Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) regulations. Arrangements were also made for sports activities in the college, he said.
He said that 25 faculty members were recruited through a transparent process to facilitate the start of classes. However, most of them left because teaching activities could not commence, leaving only 18 faculty members at present. He added that the college’s registration process was completed.
He said that the grant-in-aid was essential to make the college operational. He said classes could begin in the college within next three months if government allowed faculty members working at medical teaching institutions (MTIs) to be transferred or posted to TMC or permitted former faculty members aged over 60 years to resume their services.
WALK: A private hospital organised an awareness event and walk on Monday to highlight the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer.
The event was attended by the hospital’s chief executive officer Dr Badshahzeb, Dr Komal, Dr Hina, paramedical staff, attendants of patients and students.
Speaking on the occasion, health experts stressed the need for educating women about breast cancer symptoms, preventive measures and available treatment options. They urged women to seek medical advice promptly if they noticed unusual breast lumps, changes in breast shape or size, nipple discharge or skin changes.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026
