The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the Pakistan Association of Private Medical and Dental Institutions (PAMI) are at odds over revising tuition fees for private medical colleges. While PMDC claims an agreement has been reached, PAMI strongly denies any such consensus and plans to address the matter further with authorities, including Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.
According to PMDC, efforts are being made to standardize fees to ensure affordability and transparency. A recent meeting with stakeholders highlighted the need to balance quality education with the financial burden on students. The PMDC proposed a maximum annual tuition fee between Rs1.8-2.5 million, with a 5% yearly increment, alongside scholarships and installment plans for students from low-income backgrounds.
However, PAMI contends that these fee structures are unsustainable for private institutions, suggesting they fall far behind regional benchmarks. PAMI representatives argue that imposing uniform fees violates the Competition Act, 2010, which prohibits practices that restrict market competition.
The debate continues as both parties prepare for further discussions on standardizing medical education costs, aiming to address public concerns while safeguarding the financial stability of institutions.
