Pakistan Senate panel probes fees at private medical colleges
Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services has raised concerns about rising admission fees at private medical and dental colleges. The session, chaired by Amir Waliuddin Chishti and attended by several lawmakers, reviewed complaints that some private institutions were charging admission fees above the official cap of PKR1.8 million. Chishti said the reports had raised serious concern among committee members.
The committee directed the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to take strict action against institutions that violate the fee limit.
Lawmakers also called on the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination to explore ways to increase the number of medical seats in the country. Committee members discussed the current centralised admission policy for private medical colleges and expressed concern about the existing 50 percent allocation under the system.
According to officials familiar with the meeting, senators said regulators must ensure that private colleges follow the fee structure set by the government. The committee said it aims to protect students and their families from excessive financial pressure linked to medical education.
The meeting ended with a request for the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council to strengthen oversight, while lawmakers urged the ministry to explore ways to expand access to medical education across Pakistan.
Category: Education
