Record 1,061 Pakistani doctors secure US residencies

Islamabad:In a historic achievement for Pakistan's medical community, 1,061 Pakistani doctors have secured residency positions in the United States—marking the highest number of placements ever achieved in a single year.

President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC), Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, congratulated the successful candidates, calling it a testament to the strength and quality of Pakistan's medical education system. He attributed this success to the high standards maintained by PM&DC, along with the rigorous curricula and comprehensive training programs followed by medical institutions across the country.

“This is a transformative moment for Pakistan’s medical education. It reflects not only the academic excellence of our students but also the efforts of PM&DC in guiding medical and dental colleges toward international benchmarks,” said Dr. Taj. He emphasised that the US residency application process is highly competitive, requiring candidates to pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), demonstrate outstanding academic records, and undergo demanding interviews and documentation processes.

“Only the most committed and resilient candidates succeed,” he noted. Some of the top-performing institutions whose graduates obtained the highest number of US residencies include King Edward Medical University, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Dow Medical College, Shifa College of Medicine, Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), and Khyber Medical University.

Dr. Taj expressed confidence that this success will further advance PM&DC’s vision of elevating medical education to global standards. “These graduates carry the legacy of their institutions and are prepared to serve patients worldwide with compassion and competence,” he said.

The recent recognition of PM&DC by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) was also highlighted as a key step toward internationalizing Pakistan’s medical qualifications. This recognition enhances the global credibility of Pakistani medical graduates and enables them to pursue training and employment opportunities in leading healthcare systems worldwide. “Our mission is to empower Pakistani doctors not just to serve locally but to excel globally. This achievement shows we are on the right path,” Dr. Taj concluded.

The success of these 1,061 doctors is a strong indicator of the upward trajectory of medical training in Pakistan and reflects the country’s growing contribution to global healthcare systems.