All registered doctors and dentists across Pakistan must renew their registration certificates within six months, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has announced, making the process compulsory for the first time.
The council said the move is aimed at protecting patients, upholding ethical and professional standards, and building a modern, verifiable registration database.
Officials added that periodic verification would help eliminate quackery, credential forgery and unauthorised medical practice, while confirming the identity and current professional status of every registered practitioner.
PMDC further stated that the renewal exercise would close loopholes that have allowed the misuse of fake credentials and, in some cases, the exploitation of registration certificates belonging to doctors who have since died.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council also expects the drive to flag inactive or outdated records still listed in its system, enabling appropriate action against them.
With the six-month deadline now in effect, doctors and dentists have been directed to begin the renewal process without delay to avoid disruption to their professional standing.
