The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued show-cause notices to 45 private medical colleges over allegations of charging students fees beyond officially approved limits.
The matter was discussed during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health, where members expressed concern over reports that medical students were being asked to pay hundreds of thousands of rupees in additional charges.
Colleges Reportedly Demanding Additional Rs600,000
Committee member Dr Shazia Soomro informed the meeting that 45 private medical colleges were allegedly collecting fees beyond the permitted limits. Some institutions were reportedly demanding as much as Rs600,000 in additional payments from students.
PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj confirmed that show-cause notices had been issued to the colleges concerned.
Committee Seeks Inspection Reports
The committee, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar, directed authorities to provide inspection reports covering the previous two years to examine fee collection practices and regulatory compliance.
Members also stressed that medical colleges must not independently increase tuition fees without prior approval from the regulatory authority.
The committee was informed that the standard annual fee limit was Rs1.8 million, while 35 institutions had received approval for enhanced fees of up to Rs2.1 million based on financial audits.
Strict Action Expected Against Violations
The National Assembly committee called for stronger regulatory monitoring and action against institutions collecting unauthorised charges. The development aims to protect medical students and their families from excessive financial burdens.
The notices provide an opportunity for the colleges to respond to the allegations, while the matter remains under regulatory review.
