PMDC Issues Show-Cause Notices to 45 Private Medical Colleges Over Excess Fees

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has issued PMDC show-cause notices to 45 private medical colleges for allegedly charging students fees above the officially approved limits, with some colleges reportedly demanding up to Rs600,000 in additional charges.

What Was Said in the National Assembly Committee

The issue came up at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Health on Wednesday, November 11, chaired by Dr Mahesh Kumar. Committee member Dr Shazia Soomro asked why students were being charged more than the prescribed fee structure allows and raised alleged violations by private colleges. The PMDC president told the committee that show-cause notices had been issued to the institutions involved, and members asked for inspection reports on private medical colleges covering the last two years.

What Is a Show-Cause Notice

A show-cause notice is not a penalty. It asks an institution to explain in writing why action should not be taken against it, and the college gets a chance to respond. Reports on the meeting did not state the approved fee cap, a deadline for replies, the names of the 45 colleges or any penalty, so it is not yet clear what the council will do if the explanations are not accepted.

Other Issues at the Health Committee Meeting

The committee also reviewed a delay in extending the validity of MDCAT results from one year to three years. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the ministry approved the proposal and sent it to the federal cabinet. On the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Soomro questioned the delay in acting on an inquiry’s recommendations and demanded an audit of the Rs22 billion given to the hospital over three years. The minister said the ministry had already acted on its own inquiry recommendations and that further investigation had been assigned to the Interior Ministry. The two had a heated exchange over the matter.

What Students and Parents Can Do

Families who are asked to pay more than the approved fee structure can keep every challan and receipt, compare the amount with the fee schedule published by the council, and file a written complaint. Having the paperwork makes it far easier for a regulator to act on an individual case.

PMDC Show-Cause Notices: What Happens Next

The committee will study the inspection reports it has asked for, and the colleges are expected to reply to the council. Whether the notices lead to fines, refunds to students or other action will depend on those replies. For official updates, visit the PMDC website.

At a Glance

• PMDC issued show-cause notices to 45 private medical colleges
• Some colleges reportedly asked for up to Rs600,000 above approved fees
• National Assembly Health Committee asked for two years of inspection reports
• Fee cap, deadline and college names were not stated in reports
• MDCAT result validity extension sent to the federal cabinet