PMDC probes fraudulent registration of private medical college

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has sought additional information from the Prime Minister’s Inspection Commission (PMIC) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) following their confirmation of fraudulent registration of a private medical college in Bahawalpur, allegedly approved during the tenure of the now-dissolved Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC).

According to a senior PMDC official, the medical college was granted recognition without fulfilling the mandatory inspection protocols or meeting regulatory requirements during the tenure of now-defunct PMC.

“The college was never properly inspected. The recognition was based purely on documentation, allegedly facilitated in return for financial gains,” the official told The News. When the PMDC attempted to inspect the institution post-dissolution of PMC, the college administration twice barred inspectors from entering.

The official said it was only after court intervention that a formal inspection was conducted. Subsequently, PMDC cancelled the college’s recognition and escalated the matter to the federal cabinet, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an inquiry. The investigations, conducted by both PMIC and IB, confirmed serious procedural violations, institutional misconduct and alleged corruption.

The PMIC report specifically a former vice president of PMC as the central figure responsible for the fraudulent recognition. The report also places collective responsibility on the defunct PMC Council for failing to follow due process, and names eight senior officials, including some doctors, of the defunct PMC.

The recognition of college and its subsequent withdrawal is a textbook example of administrative negligence, personal interests and abuse of regulatory authority, the PMIC report stated. It recommended criminal and disciplinary action against the named individuals for their roles in the scandal, describing it as a complete breakdown of regulatory integrity at PMC.

In addition to the council members, the inquiry reports have identified 18 serving and former officials of PMC and PMDC who allegedly facilitated or concealed the irregularities.

Clerical and support staff named include nine officials.

The PMDC official confirmed that 12 of the 18 listed employees have already been transferred to other provinces or sidelined, while six are still under internal review.

“We’ve taken immediate administrative action. For further accountability, we are now seeking detailed evidence from PMIC and IB to proceed with criminal and departmental cases under the law,” the official said.

The PM Office has officially directed the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination to implement the recommendations of the inquiry under existing laws and policies.

The letter from the PMO, dated March 26, 2025, states: “The reports reveal serious irregularities committed by the authorities and officers appointed in the erstwhile PMC... in exchange for monetary gains.”