ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has clarified that Pakistani students graduating from medical and dental institutions in Afghanistan will not be eligible to practice in Pakistan. Consequently, the council announced that such graduates will not receive registration under the existing regulatory framework.
Recognition Rules Explained
In an official statement, the PMDC said medical institutions in Afghanistan are not included among foreign institutions recognised by the Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Therefore, Pakistani graduates from these institutions cannot qualify for registration with the council.
Furthermore, the PMDC stated that these graduates will not be allowed to appear in the National Registration Examination (NRE). The examination remains mandatory for all foreign medical graduates seeking permission to practice medicine in Pakistan.
The council clarified that only graduates from foreign medical institutions recognised by the ECFMG can sit for the NRE. As a result, students from unrecognised institutions will remain ineligible under the current regulations.
Students Advised to Verify Recognition
The PMDC urged students to carefully verify the recognition status of any foreign medical or dental college before seeking admission. It specifically advised prospective applicants considering institutions in Afghanistan to confirm their approval with the ECFMG beforehand.
Moreover, the council stressed that it will not grant any relaxation or special exemption from the existing eligibility criteria. Officials said the rules will apply equally to all foreign medical graduates.
The clarification is expected to affect many Pakistani students currently enrolled in medical and dental colleges across Afghanistan. The PMDC advised students to make informed academic decisions to avoid future registration and licensing issues in Pakistan.
