Islamabad 12 May 2026 – A high-level sub-committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar met to accelerate reforms aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for medical and dental education in Pakistan. The session focused on measures to raise consistency and trust in medical accreditation across the country.
The Sub-Committee on Accreditation of Medical and Dental Colleges and Postgraduate Qualifications reviewed updated procedures to enhance transparency, standardize accreditation mechanisms, and streamline recognition inspections for undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in line with international standards. Members were briefed on the latest reforms and the mechanisms introduced to improve the quality and credibility of inspections.
The committee underlined that there will be no compromise on inspection standards, reiterating a strict policy of zero tolerance for negligence, irregularity, or non-compliance in the accreditation process. Officials noted progress toward more merit-based and transparent inspections that protect patient care and the reputation of Pakistani medical institutions.
The meeting set clear requirements for students intending to pursue medical or dental education abroad. All students must first qualify the MDCAT and obtain registration with the PM&DC before departing to study overseas to avoid future problems with recognition, licensing, or registration. Prospective foreign medical students should confirm the institution appears on the PM&DC list of recognized foreign schools and ensure the institution is accredited by the World Federation for Medical Education or listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
The committee specified that the foreign medical qualification should include at least 6,200 hours of instruction with a minimum of 80 percent attendance over a period of five years. In countries where the medium of instruction is not English, students are expected to spend at least five months learning the local language before commencing academic studies. Graduates of foreign programs will be required to pass the National Registration Examination conducted by PM&DC to obtain registration in Pakistan.
Students were also directed to provide complete residence details and contact numbers for their country of study before departure and to secure a multiple-entry visa valid for the duration of their course. Officials stressed that these steps, part of broader medical accreditation reforms, are intended to safeguard the academic and professional future of Pakistani medical graduates and to ensure qualifications meet national and international standards.
By strengthening inspection standards and pushing forward medical accreditation reforms, the committee aims to protect the quality of medical education and the future of healthcare in Pakistan while providing clear guidance for students considering study abroad.
