National Assembly told: Private medical colleges bound to follow approved fee structure

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly was informed on Tuesday that the government had capped annual fees at private medical colleges at Rs 2. 1 million and warned institutions against charging more without approval, as lawmakers voiced concerns over the soaring cost of medical education. The House, which resumed its session with Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah in the chair, was told that a standard fee structure had been imposed on private medical colleges following complaints about excessive charges. Responding to a calling-attention notice, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said a committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had reviewed medical college fees and finalised a standard structure. He said private medical colleges accounted for 65 percent of the country’s 22, 000 medical seats, while the remaining 35 percent were available in government institutions. Around 96, 000 students passed the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) last year, he said, but only about 22, 000 secured admission to medical colleges. Kamal said many Pakistani students had travelled abroad, particularly to Central Asia, where education standards were not always satisfactory. The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), he added, had published a list of recognised foreign medical colleges to help students make informed decisions. He said MDCAT-qualified students should be prioritised for overseas medical education, noting that Pakistani students spend around $800 million annually on medical education abroad. The minister said the government had also imposed a three-year moratorium on new private medical colleges. Government institutions were exempt from the restriction and were expanding their intake as infrastructure improved. Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Nelson Azeem said the committee formed by the prime minister had initially fixed the annual fee for medical colleges at Rs 1. 8 million per student. However, 61 colleges challenged the decision, citing better facilities, services and higher operating costs. After reviewing their documents, the committee found the cases of 35 institutions justified and allowed them to charge Rs 2. 1 million, he added. He said a portal had been established for students and parents to lodge complaints against medical colleges. He said that notices were also issued to 45 institutions that could face action for failing to submit required taxes or justify their fees. He said private colleges were bound to follow the approved fee structure, with another committee formed to act against non-compliant institutions. He said students applying to private medical colleges were allocated government-recognised seats according to their preferences. Many Pakistani medical graduates move abroad, including to the US and UK. Foreign-qualified doctors must pass a PMDC test before practising in Pakistan and can then work in government institutions. On points of order, PTI MNA Iqbal Afridi strongly protested the decision to take ex-premier Imran Khan to PIMS Hospital instead of Shifa International, contrary to the Supreme Court’s orders. He called for ensuring the supremacy of Parliament. Ali Muhammad Khan of PTI demanded a ruling from the deputy speaker on a blasphemy-related bill that had been held up because it had not been signed by the former president. The session later saw a heated exchange between PPP’s Agha Rafiullah and MQM’s Hafeezuddin over issues concerning Karachi and statements relating to the provinces. Bitter arguments followed, but the deputy speaker intervened and defused the situation. Meanwhile, the House unanimously passed a resolution urging the federal and provincial governments to observe Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) at the highest level. The resolution, moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, called for the illumination and decoration of official, semi-official and private buildings, as well as highways, to mark the occasion. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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