Will Pakistan Medical Commission survive the change of government?

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court suspends the single bench judgement and restored Dr Arshad Taqi, President, Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC), and other members.

With the Islamabad High Court (IHC) suspending the single bench judgement and restoring Dr Arshad Taqi, President, PMC, Mohammad Ali Raza, Vice President, and 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 PMC, including its president, illegal. 

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 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 MDCAT. The Sindh government reduced the passing marks for medical and dental colleges admission tests; many colleges admitted students on this premise, but later PMC refused, and SC 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 Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (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.