PMDC without regular registrar for two years, exposing institutional mismanagement

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) -- the country’s top regulatory authority for medical education and professional licensing -- has been operating without a permanent registrar for the past two years, reflecting serious administrative shortcomings.

Since its reconstitution by the Parliament in January 2023 -- after disbanding the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) -- the council has failed to appoint a regular registrar despite legal requirements, leaving the crucial post in a constant state of ad-hocism.

Under the PMDC Act, the appointment of a registrar must be made transparently and on merit through a formal selection process. The position is particularly significant, given that the PMDC president serves in an honourary capacity, making the registrar the highest full-time executive responsible for the institution’s day-to-day affairs.

As per the terms of employment, the registrar should be appointed for a four-year contract, extendable once based on performance.

The council, however, has instead resorted to appointing multiple officials on an acting charge basis, undermining the institution’s stability.

Over the last two years, four different individuals had been appointed as acting registrars, reflecting a pattern of mismanagement.

In January 2023, the then-federal health minister Qadir Patel exercised special powers to appoint Dr Salman Ahmed, an assistant manager, as acting registrar. Just three months later, in April 2023, he was replaced by Dr Azhar Ali Shah. Six months later, in October 2023, another reshuffle saw Dr Imdad Khushk, the manager of Inspections, assuming the role. By July 2024, yet another change was made, with deputy registrar Dr Shaista Faisal taking charge.

Federal health ministry officials say PMDC plays a vital role in regulating the country’s medical profession, overseeing medical education, licensing, and accreditation of institutions. Given this responsibility, the absence of a full-time, competent registrar threatens the council’s ability to enforce standards effectively.

The instability at the top administrative level not only weakens governance but also impacts key regulatory functions, including medical licensing exams, curriculum approvals, and oversight of private medical institutions.

When approached for comments, PMDC President Prof Rizwan Taj admitted that the council had struggled to find a suitable candidate for the post. He stated that the position had been advertised and several candidates were interviewed, but none was deemed fit for the role.

He further revealed that the council had even sought assistance from the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination to provide an official on deputation. “However, the ministry itself is facing a shortage of permanent technical professionals, making it unable to assist the PMDC in this regard.”

Despite these challenges, Prof Taj assured that the PMDC had re-advertised the position and received applications from across the country. He stressed that only a competent and qualified professional with high integrity could be selected for the role, and the council remained committed to ensuring that the appointment process adhered to merit and transparency.

The ongoing leadership crisis at the PMDC highlights the urgent need for structural reforms to ensure institutional stability. Experts warn that prolonged reliance on ad hoc appointments not only hampers administrative efficiency but also exposes the council to political interference and internal power struggles. With medical education and professional regulation at stake, stakeholders are urging authorities to prioritise the appointment of a permanent registrar to restore credibility and ensure the effective functioning of the country’s top medical regulatory body.