PM&DC Moves to Standardize Private Medical and Dental College Fees in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) is taking steps to establish a standardized tuition fee structure for private medical and dental colleges across Pakistan. In response to growing concerns about rising education costs, PM&DC recently held its second subcommittee meeting to assess tuition regulations and develop a balanced policy that ensures affordability while maintaining academic excellence.

The meeting was attended by representatives from private medical and dental colleges, education and law experts, and chartered accountants. Discussions focused on eliminating arbitrary fee hikes, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that tuition fees remain within reasonable limits while allowing institutions to sustain high-quality education. PM&DC analyzed fee justifications, assessed the feasibility of rationalizing tuition, and explored ways to prevent excessive charges without compromising academic standards.

A key focus of the meeting was setting a maximum tuition fee limit that private institutions cannot exceed. PM&DC also instructed colleges to clearly display their tuition fees on their websites and admission brochures to prevent hidden charges and misleading information. Additionally, the committee proposed that private institutions introduce scholarships and installment-based payment plans to support students from low-income backgrounds.

To ensure compliance with the standardized fee structure, the committee discussed forming an oversight body that will monitor institutions and implement penalties against those that overcharge students. While private institutions initially proposed fee adjustments that did not align with public expectations, extensive deliberations led to a consensus on reasonable tuition limits.

PM&DC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj emphasized that this initiative will provide financial relief to students and parents while upholding high academic standards. The final recommendations of the subcommittee will be presented to the Medical Education Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar. PM&DC has assured that the finalized fee structure will be announced soon, urging students, parents, and stakeholders to stay updated through official channels. This initiative is a significant step toward ensuring affordable and transparent medical education in Pakistan.