Islamabad: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM and DC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strict enforcement of the fee capping policy for medical and dental colleges across the country, warning that any excess fee charged beyond the approved cap will be refunded to students or adjusted in the next academic year.
The assurance was given during an interactive meeting with media representatives, chaired by PM and DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj, along with Registrar Dr. Rehan Asghar Naqvi.
Addressing the gathering, the PM and DC President thanked the media for their participation and briefed them on the Council's key achievements and ongoing initiatives. Issues of public importance, including fee regulation, student welfare, and institutional compliance, were discussed in detail.
Media representatives appreciated the Council's fee capping initiative but raised concerns that some medical and dental colleges were still charging fees beyond the officially approved limit.
Responding to these concerns, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said the PM and DC was closely monitoring all institutions to ensure full compliance with the policy. He emphasized that quality medical and dental education is a fundamental right of every student, regardless of financial means or social background.
He said the Council had repeatedly issued public notices and awareness messages advising students and parents not to pay any amount exceeding the approved fee cap.
The PM and DC President further informed that strict action had already been taken against non-compliant institutions, with show-cause notices issued to 12 medical and dental colleges found violating the policy. However, he noted that some of these institutions had approached the courts, making the matter sub judice.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said an agreement had been reached with the Pakistan Association of Medical Institutions (PAMI), under which the institutions would withdraw litigation and provide relief to students.
He added that a follow-up meeting with PAMI is scheduled to be held by the end of this month. During the meeting, it will be decided that any institution seeking an enhanced fee cap-up to a maximum of PKR 2.5 million-must submit detailed financial justifications to the PM and DC. Any request for a fee increase will be evaluated through a proper valuation process and approved only after due assessment.
The PM and DC reiterated that, except for institutions granted formal approval, any medical or dental college charging fees beyond the approved cap would be required to ensure relief to students, either through refunds or adjustment of the excess amount in the next academic year.