News Detail
Event Title: Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House Islamabad.
Event Date: 2026-03-31
Senate Body Calls for Regulation of Private Medical Sector and Admission Criteria
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination was held today in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti. The meeting was attended by Senator Rubina Khalid, Syed Masroor Ahsan, Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur, Rahat Jamali, and Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto. Rubina Qaim Khani also attended the meeting as a mover.
Senator Rubina Khalid expressed concern over the high prices of pharmaceutical products in the market. The CEO of DRAP briefed the Committee on the pricing mechanism and committed to furnishing a detailed report within the next 14 days. He further informed that a survey covering 50% of pharmaceutical products available in the market would be conducted. The Chairman of the Committee endorsed the concerns raised by the member and directed that a comprehensive report be presented in the next meeting.
The Committee was also briefed on the entry test criteria for medical and dental colleges in various Asian countries. The Chairman directed to follow the International Criteria in this regard.
The Federal Minister for NHSR&C observed that, in some foreign countries, even students who have failed at the F.A. level manage to secure admission in medical institutions. He further noted that less than 1% of foreign-qualified graduates are able to pass the NRE examination. He emphasized the need to create awareness that not everyone can pursue a medical profession. President PMDC informed the Committee that last year some seats were left vacant & were filled upon a certain formula. The Chairman of the Committee recommended that the Ministry fill the vacant MBBS and BDS seats this year, including those still unfilled as of today, using the same formula applied last year.
The Committee also expressed concern over the increase in seats in certain institutions. The Minister explained that seat enhancements in specific specialties are being considered to address the trend of students seeking medical education abroad. He further informed that a cap has been imposed on seat enhancement for three years, under which no college will be allowed to increase its intake.
The Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) further informed the Committee that, after prolonged efforts, the Nursing Council Act was in place now and the election for the President & Vice President has been conducted. The Chairman appraised the efforts made by the Minister.
The Chairman of the Committee stated that many of our students go to different Asian countries for education. He emphasized that these students should be accommodated within Pakistan in PMDC-recognized colleges. Government seats should also be increased. The public and private colleges should be strengthened to provide quality education domestically, ensuring that foreign exchange is preserved.
The Minister highlighted that this outflow results in an annual foreign exchange loss of around USD 800 million. The Chairman urged that facilities in Pakistan be improved and that MDCAT admission criteria be aligned with international standards, so that students who currently go abroad can study within the country, thereby safeguarding the nation’s foreign exchange.