ISLAMABAD: A special government committee comprising officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has proposed capping the annual tuition fee at Rs 1.2 million for students enrolling in private medical and dental colleges across Pakistan.
According to PMDC officials, private institutions currently charge between Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 million per year, placing a heavy financial burden on students and their families. To counter this, the committee formulated the new fee structure after extensive deliberation and has forwarded its proposal to the Committee on Medical Education, led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, for final approval. The matter will then be presented at the PMDC Council meeting for formal enforcement.
Earlier the matter was scheduled to be presented in the PMDC Council meeting on January 27, 2025, however, delays persist as officials from the Deputy PM’s office have not yet responded to repeated reminders, slowing down the process. If approved, this move could bring financial relief to thousands of medical and dental students.
Rising Costs & Urgent Need for Fee Regulation
A sub-committee was tasked with investigating the rising tuition fees at private medical colleges. According to official documents:
- In 2010, annual fees stood at Rs 0.5 million, increasing to Rs 0.6 million in 2012.
- In 2018, the Supreme Court capped tuition at Rs 0.8 million, allowing a 5% annual increase, leading to Rs 997,500 in 2021.
- Despite the limits, private institutions raised tuition to Rs 2.5 - Rs 3 million, exceeding regulatory guidelines.
To address this, the committee has suggested fixing fees at Rs 1,212,468 per year, ensuring a consistent tuition rate throughout a student's academic program, protecting them from unanticipated increases.
Government's Plan for Transparency & Accountability
The committee has recommended strict monitoring of private medical and dental colleges, with measures including:
✅ Fines for fee violations
✅ Annual financial audits to ensure compliance
✅ A grievance system for students and parents to report excessive charges
Approval Delay & Growing Pressure
Despite multiple reminders, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar’s office has yet to respond, stalling progress. With mounting pressure from parliamentarians, students, and parents, health officials are urging the government to expedite the decision to make medical education affordable and accessible.