ISLAMABAD: The members of Upper House of the Parliament, on Friday voiced their dissatisfaction with the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC)’s unfair criteria for passing the house job license examination for medical graduates of foreign universities.
Addressing the forum during the fourth meeting of the 355th Senate session, Senator Taj Haider of the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) highlighted the issue, noting that none of the MBBS students from foreign universities had passed the PMDC examination. He emphasized that while the passing marks for graduates of Pakistani universities and medical colleges were set at 50%, the criteria for foreign graduates were significantly higher at 70%.
Senator Haider called for the matter to be referred to the Senate Committee on Health for further examination. Senator Humayun Mohmand of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) acknowledged that the issue had been previously discussed in the committee multiple times. He expressed concern over the unjust discrimination against MBBS graduates of foreign universities compared to those from Pakistani institutions and recommended that the PMDC establish unified standards in this regard.
Senator Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen of the Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) criticized the PMDC for disregarding the committee’s recommendations and urged the House to issue a ruling to resolve the matter. Senator Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani of PTI highlighted the serious problem faced by young doctors due to the high passing marks criteria set by the PMDC, which she deemed regrettable.
She also raised concerns about the high increase in drug prices, particularly affecting advanced stage cancer patients who rely on painkillers and sedatives. Senator Rubina Khalid of PPPP emphasized that the prevailing examination criteria had deprived foreign graduates of the opportunity to practice in the country and called for proper redressal of the issue.
Deputy Chairman of the Senate, Mirza Muhammad Afridi, issued a ruling directing the PMDC to submit a report on the house job license examination matter to the Senate and to address concerns regarding the irregular increase in drug prices.
Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, expressed gratitude to the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, and House members for their support despite criticisms and unfavorable conditions. The Senate session was adjourned to meet again on Monday, February 26th at 1500 hours.
