KARACHI: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspended the single bench judgement and restored PMC President Dr Arshad Taqi, Vice President Mohammad Ali Raza, members Roshanay Zafar, Tariq Ahmed Khan, Dr Rumina Hassan, Dr Asif Loya and Dr Anisur Rehman who were earlier shown the door.
Earlier, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC declared the appointment of all members of the Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), including its president, illegal. As per the case's background, the legislature passed the Pakistan Medical Commission Act 2020 on Sept 23, 2020. After two days, the then-prime minister appointed the members of the council by a notification, bypassing the protocol and selection criteria.
Read More: IHC orders to instantly dismiss PMC members
After that, PMC filed the intra-court appeal. Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan suspended the section of the single-member bench's judgement to disband the PMC council members while hearing the matter.
PMC is led by its Vice President, Mohammad Ali Raza, and the president is not more than a ceremonial head. It is also being considered by the newly-formed federal government to revert Pakistan Medical Commission to Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and also restore the Federal Higher Education Commission to its original structure.
Sindh government, led by Pakistan People's Party, was always in favour of PMDC and even challenged PMC openly during the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT). The Sindh government reduced the passing marks for the MDCAT; many colleges admitted students on this premise, but later PMC refused, and Supreme Court upheld its decision. The changes are expected after the approval of the federal cabinet.
The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Lahore has demanded immediate restoration of the PMDC as an independent, autonomous democratic and transparent body. PMA Lahore office-bearers, in an emergent meeting, expressed hope that the new government will immediately revoke the controversial PMC Act 2020 and restore PMDC.
