The president of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has issued a stern warning to private medical institutions nationwide, announcing strict enforcement measures against colleges found charging students excessive tuition fees beyond officially approved limits, signaling a major regulatory intervention aimed at protecting families already burdened by rising education costs.
Speaking to reporters, PMDC chief Professor Rizwan Taj confirmed that 12 institutions have already been served show-cause notices for allegedly overcharging students. He stated that any unlawfully collected amount must either be refunded promptly or adjusted in the next academic session, ensuring that affected students receive financial relief without unnecessary delay.
Some private colleges have challenged the directive in court, seeking legal relief from the fee cap decision. However, the regulator remains firm, emphasizing that any institution requesting a fee increase must provide complete financial documentation and justification, which will be reviewed thoroughly before approval is granted under transparent regulatory standards.
The enforcement action follows the council’s January 30 decision to cap tuition fees for MBBS and BDS programs across the country. For the 2024–25 academic year, total annual charges were fixed at Rs18 lakh, later revised to Rs18.9 lakh for 2025–26 after a five percent increase announced last October.
Officials further clarified that after 2026, any additional fee adjustments will be strictly linked to the Consumer Price Index, ensuring that tuition hikes remain aligned with inflation rather than arbitrary institutional decisions. Separate notifications will be issued whenever revisions are approved under this policy framework.
Authorities say the decision sends a strong message across Pakistan that exploitation in professional education will not be tolerated. Regulators insist transparency is now mandatory, warning that institutions violating fee rules may face penalties, disciplinary action, or other legal consequences if compliance standards are ignored.
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