KARACHI: Dr. Khursheed Ahmed, newly crowned President of the Pakistan Dental Association (PDA), made his ceremonial debut at the "Beyond the Basics: General Dental Symposium" in Karachi, hosted by Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry (LCMD).
Surrounded by dental elites, including his predecessor Dr. Arham Chohan from the old PDA, the new PDA chief charmed the crowd with a speech brimming with promises and optimism. His key pledge? To embrace the youth as PDA's "torchbearers" while simultaneously reviving the spirit of inclusivity—one that’s as familiar in rhetoric as it is elusive in practice.
Dr. Khursheed promised young dentists inclusivity in the affairs of PDA and announced that he would appoint an interim provincial set-up within 3 days after discussing it with his office bearers. He reiterated this in the post-symposium meeting of senior dental surgeons and stakeholders.
And inclusivity took center stage when, post-symposium, Dr. Khursheed wielded his presidential wand, appointing experienced stalwarts Dr Nadeem Mughal and Prof Navid Rashid as Sindh and Karachi PDA Presidents respectively. No committees, no fuss, just good old-fashioned "because I said so." Some might call it "drawing room democracy," others might argue it’s tradition—whichever way you spin it, the PDA playbook remains the same.
One glaring omission in the flurry of appointments was the formation of a Constitution Committee—an essential body that could have laid the foundation for transparent and structured governance in the newly revitalized PDA. This oversight, critics argue, is a missed opportunity to institutionalize reforms and chart a clear course for the association’s future.
But here’s the twist: in his unapologetic approach lies a sliver of hope. Perhaps, amidst these grand gestures and swift decisions, the youth might finally find a seat at the table. As the PDA marches forward, the promise of a brighter, more inclusive future for young dentists might just transcend the usual pageantry.
After all, hope springs eternal, even in the PDA kingdom.