Doctors Accused of Spreading Misinformation About FMG Merit Requirements
Foreign-trained doctors have raised strong concern over a misinformation campaign alleging that students leave Pakistan for foreign medical education with only 35–40 percent marks in FSc. According to sources, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has confirmed that these claims are entirely false, stating that foreign medical admission legally requires a minimum of 60 percent FSc marks. International universities also maintain their own merit criteria, with most setting their lower limit at around 50 percent.
False allegations have also surfaced claiming that Foreign Medical Graduates obtain high marks easily. FMG representatives countered that overseas medical education involves rigorous semester examinations, and in many countries students must also pass an additional state licensing exam before graduating. Doctors expressed concern that a small group within the profession is spreading these accusations publicly without evidence or understanding of international academic standards.
To verify competency upon return, the PMDC conducts NRE-1 and NRE-2 examinations, which are aligned with global benchmarks. Only candidates who successfully clear these assessments are granted permanent medical licensure in Pakistan, ensuring that unqualified graduates cannot enter the clinical system.
The same group spreading misinformation has also alleged that private medical colleges in Pakistan award high marks without merit. PMDC officials clarified that private-sector examinations are conducted under external examiners using standardized protocols identical to those used in public-sector institutions, making the claim factually incorrect.
FMG representative Dr. Rafey Sher strongly condemned the rumours, stating that foreign-trained doctors study internationally recognized medical curricula and have repeatedly demonstrated skill and professionalism upon returning to Pakistan. He warned that such misinformation creates unnecessary division within the medical community.
According to FMG leadership, the real objection raised by the opposing group stems from the new CIP policy in Punjab, which removes Matric and FSc marks from the postgraduate merit formula. The revised policy aligns with international norms, where pre-medical school grades are not used to determine residency placement. Instead, the new system increases the weight of MBBS performance, providing a fair, unified merit structure for graduates of public, private, and foreign medical institutions competing for FCPS induction.
Dr. Rafey Sher said FMG leadership will convene a meeting soon to discuss the situation constructively. He urged all stakeholders to avoid division and work collectively for the advancement of Pakistan’s healthcare system, stressing that foreign and private graduates should be positively engaged rather than targeted with baseless criticism.
