PMDC Cracks Down on Excessive Fees: Show Cause Notices Issued to 12 Medical Colleges

PMDC Cracks Down on Excessive Fees: Show Cause Notices Issued to 12 Medical Colleges

In a significant move aimed at bringing transparency and affordability to medical education in Pakistan, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has officially initiated disciplinary action against private institutions charging fees beyond the legally prescribed limits.

Professor Dr. Rizwan Taj, President of the PMDC , confirmed in an informal media interaction that strict action is being taken against colleges violating the centrally notified fee structure. In the first phase of this crackdown, show cause notices have been issued to a dozen medical and dental colleges across the country for excessive fee collection.

The Regulatory Crackdown: Refunds and Legal Action

Addressing the media, Dr. Rizwan Taj outlined the council’s zero-tolerance policy regarding fee violations. He stated that institutions found guilty of overcharging students will be compelled to either refund the excess amount or adjust it against the next academic year’s dues.

“Action will be taken against institutions charging excessive fees. Show cause notices have been issued to 12 medical and dental colleges ,” Professor Taj confirmed.

He further revealed that while some of these institutions have approached the courts to challenge the regulatory action, the PMDC remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting student rights. The council is preparing to contest these legal challenges to ensure compliance.

A major procedural shift announced by the President is the introduction of a financial justification mandate . Moving forward, no medical or dental college will be allowed to unilaterally increase tuition fees. Institutions must now provide a detailed financial rationale to the PMDC, and any increase will only be approved after a formal valuation process.

The Fee Ceiling: A Look at the Current Structure

To understand the gravity of these violations, one must look back at the regulatory orders issued earlier this year.

On January 30, 2024 , the PMDC had set a landmark decision by capping the maximum tuition fee for MBBS and BDS programs in private medical and dental colleges. The total fee, including all additional charges, was fixed at Rs 1.8 million for the 2024–25 session. This cap was designed to standardize the financial burden on students who previously faced arbitrary tuition hikes mid-program.

However, with the economic fluctuations affecting the country, the council revisited this figure. In a notification issued on October 6, 2025 , the PMDC permitted a 5% increase on the base fee. Consequently, the maximum annual fee has been revised to Rs 1.89 million (18.9 lakh) effective from the 2025–26 session.

Future Fee Hikes: Tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI)

One of the most critical announcements from the PMDC regarding long-term policy is the depoliticization of future fee increases. The council has clarified that any increase in tuition fees after the calendar year 2026 will strictly be linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) .

This decision is expected to end the era of sudden, arbitrary hikes. By tying fee adjustments to an objective economic indicator, the PMDC aims to balance the operational viability of private institutions with the affordability for middle-class families. A separate notification will be issued when such adjustments are triggered.

Private medical and dental colleges have been issued strict directives to comply with this new mechanism without exception.

Why This Crackdown Matters

Pakistan’s private medical education sector has long been criticized for its exorbitant fee structures, often leaving students and parents with massive debt. Unlike public sector institutions, private colleges frequently introduced hidden charges, admission fees, and annual increments that far outpaced inflation.

By taking action against 12 colleges in the opening salvo, the PMDC is signaling a shift from passive regulation to active enforcement.

Key takeaways from the PMDC’s current stance include:

• Accountability: Colleges can no longer charge “market rates” without regulatory oversight.

• Student Protection: Current students are entitled to refunds for illegal collections.

• Transparency: Future hikes require financial disclosure and valuation.

• Economic Logic: CPI indexing removes guesswork and personal discretion from fee setting.

Compliance and Consequences

The PMDC has reiterated that strict action will be taken against any institution found violating the prescribed fee structure. While the council has not yet publicly named the 12 colleges that received notices, sources indicate that the list includes institutions primarily in Punjab and Sindh, where tuition costs are traditionally higher.

Colleges that fail to respond adequately to the show cause notices or refuse to comply with refund directives risk severe penalties, including the reduction of admission seats or, in extreme cases, suspension of their affiliation.

Conclusion

Professor Rizwan Taj’s announcement marks a pivotal moment for healthcare education in Pakistan. For decades, the financial barrier to becoming a doctor was raised arbitrarily by private boards. With the implementation of CPI-indexed raises and the current crackdown on overcharging, the PMDC is slowly rebuilding the bridge of trust between regulators and students.

While legal hurdles remain as some institutions have already moved courts the message from the PMDC is clear: the era of unchecked fee hikes in medical colleges is over.