FIA Blames PMDC for Delaying Inquiry Into Seven Medical Colleges
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has accused the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) of obstructing its inquiry into seven medical colleges by failing to provide necessary documents and clarifications.
The inquiry, initiated by the Ministry of National Health Services (NHS), has remained unresolved for three years. In a letter to the PMDC registrar, FIA Deputy Director Anti-Corruption Circle Mohammad Afzal Khan Niazi emphasized that repeated requests for information had gone unanswered.
The FIA demanded details on whether fresh inspections of the colleges had been conducted, questioning how the institutions continued operating without meeting inspection requirements. It also requested certified copies of any court orders permitting the colleges to function.
The letter criticized the PMDC’s “lethargic attitude” for stalling the investigation and instructed the council to submit executive committee meeting minutes from February 25, 2025, regarding the provisional registration of medical colleges.
While PMDC officials declined to comment, a health ministry official revealed that in 2020, the defunct Pakistan Medical Council (PMC) granted provisional recognition to 15 medical and dental colleges, allowing them to admit students for one year. However, inspections scheduled for subsequent years never took place, yet admissions continued.
In 2023, Acting Registrar Azhar Ali Shah ordered all 15 colleges to halt student intake, but the PMDC’s executive council only approved inspections for seven institutions, referring the remaining eight to the ministry.
Despite the inquiry being handed over to the FIA, investigations remain incomplete, and the colleges continue enrolling students. The official cited political connections of college owners as a key challenge in taking action.
With the appointment of a new health minister, Mustafa Kamal, the ministry hopes the issue will now be addressed.
