Senator Palwasha Khan has renewed her commitment to resolving the challenges faced by Foreign Medical Graduates following continued engagement with their elected representatives led by Dr. Rafey Sher in Islamabad in October 2025.
The FMG delegation detailed a range of obstacles including regulatory barriers at the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), prolonged recognition delays, licensing complications and limited examination opportunities. Delegates warned these issues have left thousands of overseas-trained Pakistani doctors in professional uncertainty despite their readiness to join the national health workforce.
After a detailed discussion the senator expressed full sympathy and support and said “the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council must adopt a more accommodating and inclusive approach toward these graduates who have spent years studying medicine abroad.” She pledged to raise the Foreign Medical Graduates issue across parliamentary and regulatory forums, advocating policy reforms to guarantee fairness, transparency and inclusion.
Senator Khan also released a public video message reaffirming her commitment to practical measures that address FMG concerns, a step that advocates say has heightened parliamentary awareness and renewed momentum for legislative and regulatory action.
Dr. Rafey Sher, representing the FMG leadership, welcomed the senator’s continued engagement and urged the PMDC and the Ministry of National Health Services to initiate immediate dialogue to design a balanced, transparent and humane policy for recognition and integration. FMG representatives emphasised they seek collaboration rather than confrontation so that overseas-trained doctors can be effectively deployed to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare delivery.
Resolving the Foreign Medical Graduates issue, they argue, could quickly add thousands of qualified physicians to the health system and improve access to care nationwide while maintaining standards through fair, practicable assessments.
