Foreign Medical Graduates Demand Transparent Exam Standards from Pakistan’s Medical Regulator

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Foreign Medical Graduates Association has called on the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to immediately implement internationally recognised and transparent examination standards, warning of protests if their demands are not addressed within a week.
Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club in Islamabad, Association President Dr Tahir Khan Sikandari urged the PMDC to reinstate foreign medical universities that were delisted despite being recognised by the World Directory of Medical Schools. He also demanded the withdrawal of past policies that, he said, unlawfully barred hundreds of eligible doctors from appearing in the National Registration Examination (NRE-2).
The press conference was attended by senior office-bearers of the association, including General Secretary Dr Abdul Rehman Gujar, spokesperson Dr Kifayatullah, Chairman Dr Nauman Umrani, and representatives of the women’s wing and finance and media departments.
Dr Sikandari further called on the PMDC to publish detailed results of the previous NRE-1 examination, allowing candidates to review their scores, pass ratios and reasons for failure. He also demanded the immediate issuance of provisional registration to all foreign medical graduates to enable them to complete their mandatory house jobs without disruption.
The association accused PMDC President Dr Rizwan Taj of introducing what it described as “illegal, unjust and student-unfriendly policies” that have adversely affected the professional futures of thousands of Pakistani doctors trained abroad.
The group warned that if their demands are not met within one week, protests will be staged outside the PMDC headquarters under the leadership of Punjab Young Doctors Association President Dr Shoaib Niazi.
The association also appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and take action against the PMDC leadership, calling for urgent reforms to ensure fairness and transparency in medical licensing examinations.