PMDC New Policy 2025
The dream of wearing a white coat and serving in hospitals as doctors pushes thousands of young Pakistanis to pursue medical degrees abroad every year. Parents spend their life savings, and students work hard in foreign countries, with one goal in mind: to return and serve their homeland. But now, a sudden change in the PMDC new policy has put the future of thousands of these aspiring doctors at serious risk.
What Is the PMDC New Policy?
On September 8, 2025, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) issued a public notice that shook the hopes of thousands of students. According to the new policy, only those students who graduate from PMDC-recognized foreign medical institutions will be eligible for:
- Provisional registration
- House jobs
- National Registration Exam (NRE)
This means that if your university is not on the new recognition list, your degree might not be accepted in Pakistan, no matter how much money or time you’ve spent on your education.
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What Changed Suddenly?
Previously, the PMDC published a list of recognized foreign medical colleges. Many students enrolled in these institutions based on the official list. But now, that list has been removed without warning. As a result, students currently studying in China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and other Eastern European countries are left in complete confusion and stress.
Real Stories: Dreams Turned into Doubts
Take the example of Gul Nawaz, a second-year student from Hafizabad studying in China. He says,
“My parents invested all their savings in my dream. I took admission in a college that was on the PMDC list. But now that list is gone. What will happen to me?”
Similarly, Kiran Jamal from Karachi, also studying in the same medical college, adds,
“Without a house job or provisional registration, we can’t practice or specialize in Pakistan. Our future is stuck in limbo.”
ECFMG Requirement: A New Roadblock
The new policy also requires foreign medical universities to be approved by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) a U.S.-based body. However, due to global politics and bureaucratic challenges, many colleges in China and Eastern Europe are not on this list.
This has raised a big question:
Why should Pakistani students be judged based on an American commission’s approval?
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What Happens to Students Studying Now?
Under the PMDC’s new policy, students who are already studying in non-approved colleges won’t be allowed to:
- Sit in the NRE (National Registration Exam)
- Get provisional registration
- Start house jobs
This means they cannot legally work as doctors in Pakistan after graduating, making their degrees almost useless at home.
Massive Impact on Pakistan’s Health System
Every year, 8,000 to 10,000 Pakistani students go abroad for medical studies. Most return and fill important roles in hospitals, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Health expert Dr. Attaullah warns,
“If thousands of foreign graduates are blocked, Pakistan’s health sector will suffer. We already have fewer doctors than we need.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there should be 1 doctor for every 1,000 people, but Pakistan’s ratio is far worse.
Expert Opinions: Balance Needed Between Quality and Fairness
While many experts agree that improving the quality of medical education is important, they also criticize the way the new policy was suddenly implemented.
Dr. Salman Ahmed Sherwani, a senior medical professor, said:
“Yes, we need to stop fake degrees and substandard colleges, but this should be done in a planned and fair way, not by ruining the futures of current students.”
He also pointed out that similar sudden changes were made in the past, but later reversed or modified.
What Do the Students Want?
Thousands of affected students and their families are now demanding:
- Grandfather clause: Students already enrolled under the old list should be exempted.
- Alternative pathways: Special exams, additional training, or conditional registration options.
- Transparent recognition process: Foreign colleges should be able to get approved through a clear and fast process.
They are not against improving standards but are simply asking for fairness and respect for their investments.
What Should PMDC Do Now?
To protect the healthcare system and the future of these students, experts suggest:
- Allow exemptions for currently enrolled students.
- Re-publish the list of foreign medical colleges with updated guidelines.
- Make the ECFMG requirement optional, or create a Pakistani-led inspection and approval process.
- Communicate clearly with students and foreign institutions about policy changes.
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Conclusion: A Call for Compassion and Clarity
The PMDC’s new policy 2025 has created a wave of fear and uncertainty among thousands of Pakistani medical students abroad. While quality control is necessary, it must not come at the cost of destroying futures and weakening the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
A balanced approach is urgently needed, one that protects both national standards and the dreams of hardworking students and their families. Pakistan cannot afford to turn its back on its future doctors.