ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical & Dental Council (PM&DC) has issued a comprehensive clarification regarding the registration of postgraduate medical and dental qualifications, including MS, MD, MDS, M.Phil, Ph.D, FCPS, MCPS and diploma programs awarded by Pakistani universities, institutions and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP).
According to a statement issued on Friday, the Council deliberated extensively on cases involving qualifications obtained from training institutions not recognized under Section 25 of the PM&DC Act, 2022, as well as matters relating to limited, time-bound amnesty provisions previously granted to facilitate registration.
The PM&DC Postgraduate Medical Education Committee, in its meeting held on January 7, 2026, resolved that postgraduate qualifications obtained from unrecognized training sites and not falling within the amnesty deadline of December 31, 2023, cannot be registered by the Council. The Secretariat has been directed to process pending applications strictly in accordance with the law and Council decisions.
The Council decided to harmonize the registration process for all postgraduate qualifications awarded by universities and CPSP. It resolved that the determining factor for registration will be the date of induction or enrolment in the training program in relation to the promulgation of the PM&DC Act, 2022. Candidates enrolled before the Act may be considered for registration under the amnesty provisions, subject to fulfillment of prescribed conditions.
Reiterating its decision dated June 4, 2023, the Council clarified that the PM&DC Act, 2022 does not have retrospective effect. Candidates enrolled or qualified before January 16, 2023 will be considered under the previously applicable legal framework. However, candidates enrolled after this date must ensure that their qualification, degree-awarding institution and training site are recognized by PM&DC in accordance with Section 25 of the Act.
The Council also emphasized its decision dated September 19, 2023, stating that recognition of both the postgraduate qualification and the training institute is mandatory under the PM&DC Act, 2022. Inspection and formal recognition of training institutes are statutory prerequisites. Applications submitted under the repealed PMC Act, 2020 cannot be processed under the current legal framework, and fresh applications must be filed in compliance with the PM&DC Act, 2022. A limited one-time amnesty was granted for qualifications obtained from previously recognized institutes, subject to specified deadlines.
Subsequent decisions dated June 13, 2024 and August 6, 2024 stipulated that the one-time amnesty for MD, MS, MDS, M.Phil, Ph.D and diploma qualifications applies only to candidates whose final examination was held on or before December 31, 2023. The examination date mentioned on the degree will serve as the determining criterion for eligibility.
The Council further approved the registration of basic sciences postgraduate qualifications obtained from Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized universities, provided admission occurred on or before September 27, 2022.
PM&DC President Rizwan Taj stated that equal treatment would be ensured for every specialist in accordance with the law. He said the measures aim to safeguard merit, maintain uniform standards and uphold the quality and integrity of medical education and specialist training across Pakistan.
The Council reiterated its commitment to transparent governance, regulatory compliance and the strengthening of postgraduate medical education in the country.
