Senator Amir Walliuddin Chishti, chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, delivered the keynote address at the 58th convocation of the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. The ceremony, attended by Lieutenant General (R) Nigar Johar as chief guest, celebrated the graduation of 700 FCPS and MCPS specialists.
Senator Chishti extended congratulations to the new specialists and acknowledged the leadership of Prof. Khalid Masood Gondal and the CPSP Council for organising a memorable event. He praised the graduates for their dedication and resilience and commended the institution’s role in nurturing clinical talent.
Reflecting on the CPSP convocation, he highlighted the college’s sustained efforts to elevate medical education and strengthen healthcare delivery across the country. Senator Chishti expressed hope that CPSP will continue to lead initiatives that enhance specialist training and improve the quality of care available to Pakistanis.
On policy support, the senator reiterated that the Standing Committee remains ready to back health-related reforms. He noted the government’s focus under Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on development in healthcare, especially for rural communities, and welcomed ongoing upgradation of District and Tehsil hospitals as part of that commitment.
Addressing examination integrity, Senator Chishti said his priority is to ensure the MDCAT is a rigorous, transparent and fair gateway for medical education. He observed that this year’s process showed improvement with no media reports of paper leaks after six months of focused measures. “My focus remains on ensuring that the MDCAT sets the highest standard for entrance testing in the country,” he said.
Stressing that a healthy and educated population underpins national progress, he urged the medical community to continue fostering talent and supporting the professional growth of young doctors. Senator Chishti expressed confidence that the newly minted specialists will play a meaningful role in strengthening Pakistan’s health system and expanding access to quality care.
