Foreign Medical Graduates have been thrown into confusion after the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council revised provisional licensing rules to require clearance of both Step 1 and Step 2 of the National Registration Examination before applying for provisional registration.
The change came into effect immediately after the NRE results were announced on February 10 and the PMDC portal was opened for eligible applicants. Within hours, however, officials reportedly advised graduates to hold off on submitting applications while internal technical adjustments were made to the PMDC portal, leaving many candidates uncertain about the correct next steps.
Dr. Rafey Sher, speaking on behalf of the FMG community, engaged with the Licensing Department to seek clarity. According to Dr. Sher, officials acknowledged that key technical updates were still pending and said the portal would be updated so eligible applicants could proceed without procedural hurdles. That reassurance, however, has not resolved practical difficulties on the ground.
Graduates describe receiving conflicting directions from different PMDC units; some applicants who cleared both NRE steps were told to apply immediately while others were instructed to wait for further notice. This inconsistent internal communication has deepened frustration among doctors who had arranged their documents and timelines to comply with the revised rules.
Technical shortcomings within the online system are compounding the problem. Several recognised universities reportedly do not appear in the portal’s database, preventing otherwise eligible candidates from completing forms or uploading credentials. These glitches are creating anxiety over potential delays to provisional registration and the start of professional practice in Pakistan.
Stakeholders are calling on PMDC to urgently finalise necessary portal fixes, issue a clear written clarification on the application procedure, and ensure consistent guidance across departments. FMGs stress that a functioning PMDC portal and a predictable licensing timeline are essential for their careers and for preserving public trust in the regulatory framework.
Foreign Medical Graduates say they remain committed to meeting all regulatory requirements but expect transparent, efficient processes that reflect the seriousness of this transitional licensing step.
