The Peshawar High Court recently canceled a notification from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council that had disqualified several foreign medical institutions. This important ruling restores the legal status of medical degrees earned from universities in Afghanistan and other neighboring countries. A two-member bench, featuring Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Faheem Wali, heard the case to resolve the grievances of frustrated graduates. Many Pakistani doctors now feel a sense of immense relief after their professional lives remained in limbo for months. This decision effectively removes the barriers that prevented these trained professionals from serving in the national healthcare system.
Challenging unfair changes in medical licensing rules
During the legal proceedings, the counsel for the students argued that the petitioners enrolled when these universities held full official recognition. The lawyer pointed out that the graduates finished their demanding studies while the council still maintained active affiliations with those foreign schools. However, a sudden policy change in September 2025 removed these institutions from the approved list without any prior warning to the students. The court eventually agreed that new administrative rules should not apply to people who already completed their training under older regulations. Consequently, the bench found the council’s retrospective ban on these degrees both unfair and legally unsustainable for the graduates.
Opening doors for new doctors in the national workforce
The court now permits these graduates to register for the mandatory National Registration Examination, which remains a vital step for any practicing doctor. Previously, the council prevented these qualified individuals from taking the test, which stopped them from working in local clinics and hospitals. By overturning the previous order, the judges ensured that these healthcare workers can finally start their careers and help the public.
Furthermore, the ruling highlights the need for stable and predictable policies for students who choose to study abroad. Ultimately, this verdict protects the hard work of students who pursued their medical dreams in good faith across the border.
